Respect for the dignity of every person and for his or her values is as much a part of the identity of a Catholic university as faith is, Pope Francis said.
"This is perhaps the most beautiful and greatest thing about your universities," the pope told university chancellors, rectors and other leaders of Catholic institutions belonging to the International Federation of Catholic Universities Jan. 19.
Explaining that he had "a long speech to read, but my breathing is a bit labored," the pope made only brief remarks to members of the group before greeting each of them individually. "This cold won't go away," he complained.
In an age when many universities have become businesses, Catholic universities "must take a stand," helping students discover their vocations to contribute to peace and the betterment of society, Francis wrote in his prepared text, which was distributed to participants.
"A Catholic university must make choices, choices that reflect the Gospel," he wrote to members of the federation of more than 225 Catholic universities and institutes of higher education.
