Cerca
NEWS | Holy See

Rector Elena Beccalli received by Pope Leo XIV

10 aprile 2026

Rector Elena Beccalli received by Pope Leo XIV

Condividi su:

Friday 10 April, Pope Leo XIV received Elena Beccalli, Rector of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in audience.

Professor Beccalli expressed her personal gratitude and that of the entire university community, emphasising the commitment of Università Cattolica to serving society and the Church, both in Italy and around the world.

The audience took place just a few days before the presentation of the University’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, the first copy of which was presented to the Pope in advance. Rector Beccalli outlined the three guiding principles underpinning the mission of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: to promote its profile as a non-profit Catholic university; to favour full integration between its role as an educational community and that of a research university; and to build a place for the experience of knowledge, not merely its transmission.

These guiding principles define the Plan’s main initiatives, which are structured around five pillars: the School of Knowledge Integration; the promotion of research and young researchers; high-quality educational offer; internationalisation and the Africa Plan; and fundraising inspired by the University’s core values and institutional principles.

Un articolo di

Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff

Condividi su:


The meeting took place at a particularly significant moment, three days before the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to Africa, a topic of great interest to the University. Among the initiatives, Rector Beccalli outlined the developments of the Africa Plan, an action framework launched last year which, by placing its focus on education, aims to work with – and not for – African countries.

During the audience, Professor Beccalli, President of the European Federation of Catholic Universities since June 2025, also briefed the Holy Father on the key issues to be discussed at the FUCE General Assembly, which is due to take place in Zagreb from 20 to 22 May.  

The Rector, Elena Beccalli, said: “I express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the Holy Father for his support of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, which has been at the service of the Church and society since its foundation. The meeting with Pope Leo XIV was a deeply moving occasion and took on great significance for the life of the University, as we presented the Holy Father with a preview of the Strategic Plan, the result of a participatory process involving all members of the university community, starting with the students. It was also an opportunity to address some crucial issues, particularly at this historic juncture, for European Catholic Universities and to highlight the value of their federation (FUCE).”

 

Photo Credits Vatican Media

Leggi anche

Newsletter

Scegli che cosa ti interessa
e resta aggiornato

Iscriviti