VATICAN - Benedict XVI and European University Day: “Intellectual charity can unite the existential journey of young people who live far apart but nevertheless feel connected with each other at the level of interior research and witness ”

Monday, 12 March 2007

Vatican City (Fides Service)- In the late afternoon of Saturday 10 March in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican Pope Benedict XVI addressed university students taking part in the 5th European University Day on the theme "Intellectual Charity: path for new cooperation Europe-Asia".
“It is most evocative to think of intellectual charity as the human spirit’s power to unite the formative itineraries of the new generations - the Pope said-. Globally intellectual charity can unite the existential journey of young people who live far apart but nevertheless feel connected with each other at the level of interior research and witness. This evening we have ideally cast a bridge between Europe and Asia, a continent rich in spiritual traditions, where some of humanity’s oldest and noblest cultural traditions developed.”
The initiative, promoted by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences and the Office for University Pastoral of the Vicariate of Rome diocese, linked via satellite TV university students in Rome with those in Turin, Bologna, Manchester, Coimbra, Krakow, Prague, Tirana, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Manila and Islamabad. After leading the recitation of the Holy Rosary the Holy Father gave his address and then presented copies of the Apostolic post synodal exhortations Ecclesia in Europe and Ecclesia in Asia to a few student representatives.
“The University students of Rome are promoting brotherhood under the banner of intellectual love- Pope Benedict XVI said in his address -, they pursue solidarity moved not by economic or political interests but by an interest for study and search for the truth. Here we have truly a perspective of the "university" , of the community of knowledge, one of the constitutive elements of Europe.” After addressing the student participants in other countries in various languages the Pope concluded: “the mystery of the Cross is not removed from the theme of intellectual charity, indeed it illuminates it. Christian wisdom is the wisdom of the Cross: Christian students and more so Christian teachers interpret every reality in the light of the mystery of God’s love which has in the Cross its highest and most complete revelation. Once again dear young people I entrust to you the Cross of Christ: welcome it, embrace it, follow it. It is the tree of life! At its feet you will always find Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Together with Mary, Seat of Wisdom, look upon the One who was pierced for us (cfr Jn 19,37), contemplate this never ending source of love and truth and you too will become disciples and witness filled with joy.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/3/2007 - righe 31, parole 429)


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