On Friday, November 28, 2025, Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Canon Law and former Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, was awarded the Boniface VIII International Prize - City of Anagni 2025 - for a Culture of Peace. The award ceremony, now in its 23rd year, took place in the Sala della Ragione of the Municipality of Anagni (Frosinone), in the presence of the Academic Senate, the President of the Scientific Committee, Msgr. Enrico dal Covolo, and the members of the Scientific Committee, as well as civil, religious, political, military, and Italian government authorities. The award ceremony was followed by a lecture by Cardinal Ghirlanda on the topic "Social Doctrine in the Church: Foundations and Applications."

The motivation drawn up by the Scientific Committee mentions his "exceptional contributions in the field of canon law and his service to the Catholic Church." Cardinal Ghirlanda is considered a profound expert in canon law and has published over 110 specialized articles in the field. He also collaborated on several apostolic constitutions, including "Praedicate Evangelium" on the reform of the Roman Curia. The citation concludes by recalling "his role as the Pope's principal advisor for the reform of the Curia and his appointment as patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in June 2023," as further recognition of his commitment and authority within the Catholic Church.