Professor Francesco Calogero was an Italian physicist. He was active in the community of scientists concerned with nuclear disarmament as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Physics Department of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
He served as the Secretary-General of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs from 1989 to 1997, and from 1997 to 2002 as chair of the Pugwash Council. In 1995, in his capacity as Secretary General, he received, on behalf of Pugwash, the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was a member of the Governing Board of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute from 1982 to 1992. In 2008, he was the author, signatory, and drafter of an open letter/appeal entitled “For a World Without Nuclear Weapons,” published by the Italian top daily Corriere della Sera, in which several prominent Italian politicians and scientists expressed their support for nuclear disarmament.
In addition to Francesco Calogero, the signatories were Massimo D’Alema (former Prime Minister), Gianfranco Fini ( in office President of the Chamber of Deputies), Giorgio La Malfa (former minister for European affairs), and Arturo Parisi (former minister of Defence). The “Five Italian knights” joined the American “Four Horsemen” (Kissinger, Nunn, Perry, and Schultz) in calling international attention to the need for a world without nuclear weapons. In 2010 these five eminencies formed the first membership of the Italian senior network.
It is with regret that we announce the passing of Professor Calogero on 30 January 2026.
