In an express trip outside the Vatican walls, Pope Francis visited the Gregorian, the oldest pontifical university in Rome. It was on the day of its annual feast, the Dies academicus.
The Pope spoke of the importance of teachers also taking care of their students, beyond intellectualism and egos. In fact, the pontiff explained the anecdote of a teacher who, upon entering his classroom, found it empty.
POPE FRANCIS
When he had the evidence of emptiness became clear, he decided to go out and ask the janitor what had happened. The man who had always looked embarrassed seemed different, more animated, when he pointed to the sign that had been placed on the door after he had entered. It read, “Classroom occupied by oversized ego. No vacancy.” A student prank during 1968 of the last century.
Pope Francis also explained how he would like all universities to be.
POPE FRANCIS
Less chairs, more tables without hierarchies, side by side, everyone begging for knowledge, touching the wounds of history. With this style, the Gospel will be able to convert hearts and answer life's questions.
It was St. Ignatius of Loyola who laid the foundations of this Jesuit institution in 1551. Saints such as Oscar Romero and Popes such as Paul VI and John Paul I have passed through its classrooms. Currently, it has almost 3,000 students of 121 nationalities.
TR: JD
