Meeting with members of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Pope Leo expressed his gratitude to the academic authorities for their warm welcome and constant dedication to the service of education.
The institution, founded in 1989 by the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC), can be a “a beacon for the Church and for Africa in its search for truth, as well as its promotion of justice and solidarity.” Today, more than ever, the Pope stressed, it is important that universities—and Catholic institutions of higher learning—"become true communities of life and research, introducing students and professors alike to a fraternity in knowledge.” The proclamation of the Gospel and the Church’s doctrine is meant to encourage a culture of encounter, in cooperation with “the positive forces that contribute to the growth of universal human consciousness.” Universities has an important and central role in today’s world.
In a time where many seem to be losing their spiritual and ethical references points, “finding themselves imprisoned in individualism, superficiality and hypocrisy, the university stands out as a privileged place of friendship, cooperation and, at the same time, of interiority and reflection.” Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Truth has been the goal at the heart of universities.
This continues today, the Pope noted as professors and students are called to adopt Truth as their goal and way of life.
Africa, the Holy Father highlighted, “can make a fundamental contribution to broadening the overly narrow horizons of a humanity that struggles to hope.” Moreover, today, there is an urgent need to reflect on faith “within the framework of contemporary cultural contexts and present challenges.” In this way, the beauty and credibility of faith can be found in different settings, but particularly in contexts scarred by injustice, inequality, violence, and spiritual and material