As you may know, funerary behavior is one of the most genuine and profound expressions of human nature.

Today, I wanted to share a reflection with you. Among the most sublime manifestations of this behavior is the place where I now stand: the Panthéon in Paris.

This monument is not merely a resting place for remarkable individuals. It is, above all, a collective declaration of memory, homage, and gratitude. Here lie extraordinary figures —such as Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Josephine Baker— whose lives and work left an indelible mark on history.

In the act of burial, in honoring those who came before us, humanity expresses a deep desire to keep memory alive. Because remembering those who are gone —especially those who shaped our shared destiny— is also a way of continuing what they began.