EUROPE/ITALY - 4th European Convention for University Students opens tomorrow: “Christian humanism, path for more intense cooperation between Europe and Africa”

Rome (Fides Service) - On Sunday 11 December 2005 the 4th European Convention for University Students will start with a solemn concelebration of Mass at 8pm in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Convention, held on the occasion of a meeting between university students in Rome and Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica Thursday 15 December at 5pm, will reflect on the theme: “Christian humanism, path for more intense cooperation between Europe and Africa”.
Participants will included university delegations from France, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Russian Federation, Germany and Poland, countries which are scheduled to link up with the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican for the 4th European Day for University Students, on Saturday 11 March 2006. The Polish delegation has brought with it the Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mother and Child, known as “Sedes Sapientiae” Seat of Wisdom presented to university students some years ago by the late Pope John Paul II. For the first time at the Convention there will be university delegations from Africa, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria. In fact the occasion of the 4th European Day for University Students, Saturday 11 March 2006 students in the cities of Nairobi, Abijan, Owerri will take part in a live link up.
The convention will take place at three venues, the Italian Foreign Ministry, and two universitites, La Sapienza University and the European University of Rome. During the Convention there will be a Christmas concert organised by the Ministry for Universities and the Vicariate of Rome in honour of Pope Benedict XVI on Monday 12 December at 8.30pm at the Basilica of St Mary Major.
At the end of the concert the sedes Sapientiae Icon will be handed to students of S. Maria Addolorata parish until Tuesday evening when it will pass on to S. Leone I parish. After the stay in Rome, at the end of the above mentioned meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the university students the icon will be handed to a university delegation from Bulgaria. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2005 - Righe 21, parole 287)