Pope Francis received in the audience the rectors of 13 public universities in Rome and Lazio, a region located in central Italy on 16 May. Pope Francis defended that the universities “ at this specific historical moment have been entrusted with a task of great responsibility”.
In this line, the Pope recalled the years of the pandemic and “the third world war in pieces of Europe” to which he has referred more than once.
The Holy Father defined this situation as “a challenge that has a strong cultural, intellectual and moral implication” and assured that “this scenario is presented to the younger generations, with the risk of generating a climate of discouragement and confusion, of loss of trust, and what is worse addiction.”
For this reason, Pope Francis defended the need to make an “educational investment” since “the service that the university can provide is truly important; that you and the universities you represent, each with its own characteristics, can contribute to rethinking and adapting our development models, bringing together the best intellectual and moral energies,” the Pope told the rectors.
“Students are not satisfied with mediocrity, with the mere repetition of data, not even with a professional training without horizon”, the Pope said next.
Likewise, the Pontiff encouraged those present to “listen to the students” and highlighted the importance of “training young people capable of contributing something new to the world of work and society, to also train them in respect for oneself, in the respect for others, for the creation and for the Creator”.
“In promoting excellence in studies and research, I ask you to be vigilant so that all who deserve it and lack means can fully exercise their right to study and training,” the Pope asked.
“I hope that yours are living, transparent, active, welcoming, responsible communities, in a fruitful climate of cooperation, exchange, and dialogue, valuing each and everyone,” he said next.
“This old and consolidated relationship – Pope Francis continued -, in distinction and cooperation, we are called to develop and continue it in the responsible and sustainable construction of development paths”.
“The motto of the next Jubilee of 2025, ‘Pilgrims of Hope ‘, can then express this converging commitment, towards shared goals of life, goodness, and fraternity”, he concluded.