Pope Benedict XVI’s Discourse to the participants of the Meetings of European Universities

(July 11, 2009) You belong to as many as 31 nations, and you are preparing to take in the third millennium important roles and duties. Always be aware of your potential and at the same time of your responsibilities, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the Group of young university students of Europe, about 1000 in number, at Rome, on Saturday, the 11^th of July. The Holy Father said that the church expects from them a response just like the disciples of Emmaus. He recalled the European meeting held two years ago, where the teachers and students together offered the Episcopal Conferences of Europe, willingness to continue on the path of cultural development that St. Benedict saw as necessary for human growth and Christian peoples of Europe. This can happen only if like the disciples of Emmaus, they meet the Risen Lord in the concrete ecclesial experience, especially in the Eucharistic celebration. He added that their commitment in the university mission is therefore to witness the personal meeting that they had with Jesus Christ, the Truth which enlightens the path of each man. The Pontiff then said that the university pastoral action must then express itself in all its theological and spiritual significance, helping young people to ensure that the communion with Christ leads them to perceive the deepest mystery of man and history. This is because the Christian presence is becoming more demanding and at the same time fascinating, because faith is called, as in centuries past, to offer his invaluable service to the knowledge that, in contemporary society, is the true engine of development. Pope Benedict then told them: “Dear young people, you are the future. Immersed in these years of study in the world of knowledge, are called to invest your best resources, not just intellectuals, to consolidate your personality and to contribute to the common good.”