Pope Francis and Università Cattolica, at the heart of a friendship

Another example of the Holy Father’s constant closeness to our community has been evident throughout his pontificate through the messages he sent for the various editions of the Day for Università Cattolica: “I hope that this great University,” Pope Francis recalled in the 2016 edition, “which continues to render an important service to Italian youth, may continue its educational mission with renewed commitment, updating it ever more to today’s needs.”

This support was also expressed in the preface written for the volume “Il Magistero della Chiesa per l'Università Cattolica” (The Magisterium of the Church for Università Cattolica), the third volume of the “Storia dell’Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore” (History of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) published by Vita e Pensiero: “A true training ground for cultural development, Christian formation and paths to holiness.”

Remembrance, passion and comfort. These were the three words chosen by Pope Francis on the occasion of the Holy Mass celebrated on 5 November 2021 at the Rome seat of Università Cattolica and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS. It was an emotional moment that marked the culmination of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

“In today’s haste, in the midst of a thousand errands and continuous worries, we are losing the capacity to be moved and to feel compassion,” said the Pope in his homily, “because we are losing this return to the heart, that is, this memory, this return to the heart. Without memory one loses one’s roots, and without roots, one does not grow. It is good for us to nurture the memory of who has loved us, cared for us, and lifted us up. I would like to renew today my ‘thanks’ for the care and the affection I have received here.”

The centrality of the right to care and the work of medical and healthcare personnel is a theme that the Pontiff had already emphasised a few months earlier, in July 2021, when during the Angelus pronounced from the tenth floor of Policlinico Gemelli, where he was hospitalised, Francis emphasised the importance of “free healthcare, that assures good service, accessible to everyone. This precious benefit must not be lost.”

But his relationship with Università Cattolica was above all a bond with the students, the young people, to whom the Holy Father often addressed himself during his pontificate: “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! And do not let yourselves be infected by the virus of individualism. This is ugly, eh! And it hurts. The university is the right place to develop antibodies against this virus: the university opens the mind to reality and diversity; there you can put your talents to work and make them available to everyone.” This was the message that Jorge Bergoglio sent on 19 December 2021, on the occasion of the inauguration of the 2021-22 academic year, to a society still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the most important dates in the history linking Pope Francis and Università Cattolica was Saturday 22 April 2023, when over 12,000 people made a pilgrimage to St Peter’s Square to thank the Holy Father Francis for the beatification of the co-founder of Università Cattolica, Armida Barelli. “In the fields of the economy, culture, politics, school as well as work, in constant attention to the smallest, the frail and the poor, I encourage you to seek out paths to walk with everyone,” said Pope Francis in his speech that day, recalling “ the exhortation of Blessed Armida, the ‘big sister’, to love, love, love; to love without measure, regenerated in God’s love, which transforms the life of people, in a tangible and credible way, and through the people, activates processes and paths of social renewal.”

The Holy Father has always paid great attention to the central role of women. With his usual style, always ready with a joke, during the aforementioned meeting with the community of the University and Policlinico Gemelli on 16 April, he addressed the Rector with these words: “Thanks to you, you are so strong... When women are in charge, things get done!”. “Pope Francis,” recalled Professor Beccalli, “has always believed in the role of female leadership, in the role of women at the helm of organisations, and on that occasion, he reiterated this with good humour. This gives us even more responsibility in taking on these roles, not so much to occupy spaces but rather to initiate processes of change.”

The mutual bond between Università Cattolica and the Holy Father was celebrated in 2023 by CattolicaNews with a special edition dedicated to Francis on the tenth anniversary of his pontificate, featuring contributions and analyses by professors of the University. A reflection to remember the breath of fresh air brought by his Ministry and how, with direct language that is understandable to all, he has imposed crucial issues of great complexity: environmental protection, efforts for peace against the “third world war in pieces”, attention to the weakest, in particular the tragedy of migrants. Not to mention his great inclination towards dialogue with other religious faiths and his direct relationship with young people.

“Pope Francis,” said the Rector in her academic capacity as an economist, “has emphasised how it is possible to take a new look at economic issues, especially financial ones, by focusing on the person, the dignity of every human being and care for creation. This perspective and paradigm contrast with what we see today, with a trade war looming, market uncertainty, and complex geopolitical issues and polarisation leading to the many wars we see in many parts of the world. But perhaps it is precisely because of this contrast that Pope Francis’ message is even stronger today.”

This support was also reiterated on the occasion of the appointment of Professor Elena Beccalli as Rector of Università Cattolica, who, just over a month after taking office on 12 August 2024, was received in audience by Pope Francis. During the meeting, various topics were discussed, many of which focused on the university world and the issue of educational emergency.

“Pope Francis,” concluded the Rector, “has been the global leader of recent years. He has been able to take a very clear, very firm stance, but always in dialogue with everyone, and in this sense, I believe he has been a voice that has been listened to by many lay people around the world. What he has called for until the very end, and we heard this again on Easter Sunday, is an invitation to all politicians and people in positions of responsibility to try to take this new perspective and call for peace.”