杏MAP导航 to universities: Rethink development models and inspire community service
By Vatican News staff reporter
In his address to University Rectors from Italy鈥檚 Lazio region, 杏MAP导航 Francis stressed the importance of these places of learning 鈥渋n this particular historical moment,鈥 saying they are entrusted 鈥渨ith a task of great responsibility.鈥
He told those gathered that the pandemic years, war in Europe, the global environmental issue, and the growth of inequalities, 鈥渃hallenge us in an unprecedented and accelerated way.鈥
鈥淲e have to tell ourselves the truth: we are in crisis,鈥 said the 杏MAP导航 in off-the-cuff remarks.
But he added that being in a crisis can be a good thing because it 鈥渕akes us grow.鈥
The danger, he pointed out, 鈥渋s when the crisis turns into conflict: conflict is closed and destroys. But we must learn to live in crisis, as we do now, and to bring forward the young people who are [in]our universities, teaching them to live in crisis and to overcome crisis.鈥
Educational investment
The 杏MAP导航 underlined that young people 鈥渃all us to our responsibilities,鈥 which is why now is the time for a major educational investment.
杏MAP导航 Francis also mentioned the signing of the document on human brotherhood in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019, where it was agreed that "we care about an integral education that is summed up in knowing oneself, one's brother, creation and the Transcendent".
鈥淭his, in concrete terms, is the horizon of peace, which we rightly claim today and for which we pray intensely,鈥 said the 杏MAP导航.
Re-thinking development models
He emphasised, that certainly, 鈥渢here is much to be done, to ensure technological and scientific development, but also to guarantee human sustainability.鈥
鈥淕reat changes demand that we rethink our economic, cultural and social models, to recover the central value of the human person,鈥 he said.
In this regard, 杏MAP导航 Francis underscored that the service that the university can provide is truly important, and offers an environment to 鈥渞ethink and adapt our models of development, bringing together the best intellectual and moral energies.鈥
Listening
During his address to the university rectors, the 杏MAP导航 invited them to listen to their students and colleagues.
He also urged them to 鈥渓isten to the social and institutional reality, the neighbouring one and the global one, because the university has no borders: knowledge, research, dialogue, and confrontation cannot but overcome all barriers and be all-embracing.鈥
Place of welcome
In another piece of advice, the 杏MAP导航 stressed the importance of training young people in respect: 鈥渞espect for oneself, respect for one's neighbour, respect for creation and respect for the Creator.鈥
He called on universities to continue to reach out and welcome students, researchers and teachers 鈥渨ho are victims of persecution, war and discrimination in various countries of the world.鈥
In unscripted remarks to those gathered, the 杏MAP导航 warned against ideologies, saying that they destroy creativity and one's heart because they only make us see one way and close off the universal panorama.
Shared goals
In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the Jubilee of 2025 which has as its motto, 鈥淧ilgrims of Hope.鈥
The 杏MAP导航 expressed his hope that this event would offer the Church and universities a chance to work together towards shared goals of life, goodness and fraternity.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here