President Passerini, AJCU Presidents Meet Pope Leo XIV in Rome

Gonzaga University President Katia Passerini and several of her peers from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome as part of the AJCU Presidents Pilgrimage.

"Sharing the opportunity to hear Pope Leo XIV with fellow leaders from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities was both inspiring and affirming,” President Passerini said.

At a time when the value of higher education is too often measured in narrow terms, the Holy Father reminded us of its deeper purpose: to cultivate wisdom, foster civic responsibility, and form women and men committed to the dignity of every person and the well-being of society. It strengthened our resolve to work together, across our Jesuit institutions, in service of a more hopeful and humane future."

Pope Leo's talk with the group covered myriad issues, including inspiring words about how colleges and universities can be the ideal places for confronting the many issues facing society. He cited the Jesuits’ four Universal Apostolic Preferences – showing the way to God, walking with the excluded, journeying with youth and care for our common home – established in 2019 and confirmed by Leo’s predecessor Pope Francis to guide the work of Jesuit ministries, including higher education.

“Your colleges and universities are likewise natural places for accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future, which is the third preference,” Pope Leo said. “Students normally begin their academic careers full of idealism and energy, often seeking to serve the needs of others. The studies that take place on your campuses, the friendships that naturally blossom there and the opportunity for all in your academic communities to encounter the thought and research of great scholars, both past and present, can bring a sense of hope and the promise of what could change for the better.

“I invite you to continue to foster that sense of hope among those in your communities through opportunities for dialogue, service and prayer, remembering always that the resurrection of Christ is the ultimate source of hope, and that with him all things are possible.”

(Read Pope Leo’s address to the AJCU presidents and representatives in its entirety).

In his comments, Pope Leo also touched on the need to support immigrants and refugees, spoke about artificial intelligence in words that echoed his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitis, and mentioned education’s special role in addressing the consequences of technological innovations.

Pope Leo ended his remarks with gratitude for the work being done by the colleges and universities, and a blessing:

“With the help of the prayers of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, may you continue the Jesuit tradition of forming those entrusted to your care to be ‘men and women for others,’” Leo said. “I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing to each of you, which I willingly extend to your loved ones and to the communities of the institutions that you represent.”