January 30, 2014: Pope Francis on Thursday met with a delegation from the University
of Notre Dame (USA) on the occasion of the inauguration of the University’s “Rome
Center.”
In his address to the delegation, the Holy Father said he was “confident
that the new Center will contribute to the University’s mission by exposing students
to the unique historical, cultural and spiritual riches of the Eternal City, and by
opening their minds and hearts to the impressive continuity between the faith of Saints
Peter and Paul, and the confessors and martyrs of every age, and the Catholic faith
passed down to them in their families, schools and parishes.”
Pope Francis
spoke about the “outstanding contribution” Notre Dame has made to the Church in the
United States “through its commitment to the religious education of the young and
to serious scholarship inspired by confidence in the harmony of faith and reason in
the pursuit of truth and virtue,” and thanked the University for its commitment “to
supporting and strengthening Catholic elementary and secondary school education throughout
the United States.”
The Pope also spoke about the vision of Notre Dame’s founder,
Father Edward Sorin, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, calling it “central
to the University’s distinctive identity and its service to the Church and American
society.” Referring to the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, he spoke about
“the missionary dimension of Christian discipleship,” which “ought to be reflected
in a special way in Catholic universities.” “Essential in this regard,” he continued,
“is the uncompromising witness of Catholic universities to the Church’s moral teaching,
and the defense of her freedom, precisely in and through her institutions, to uphold
that teaching as authoritatively proclaimed by the magisterium of her pastors.” Pope
Francis said, “It is my hope that the University of Notre Dame will continue to offer
unambiguous testimony to this aspect of its foundational Catholic identity, especially
in the face of efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness.”
Pope
Francis asked the members of the delegation to pray for him in his ministry and assured
them of his prayers. He concluded his address with his Apostolic Blessing.