Pope Leo XIV addresses International Congress on School and University Pastoral Ministry

Pope Leo XIV addressed participants at the International Congress on School and University Pastoral Ministry on October 22, 2026. The congress, organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, brought together educators and pastoral leaders from more than 60 countries to discuss the Church's mission in academic settings.

In his address, the Pope encouraged Catholic schools and universities to serve as a "home," providing a familiar place where students feel expected and welcomed. He noted that while young people often show enthusiasm and a spirit of service, many students face existential hardships, including broken families, digital loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, and uncertainty regarding the future. He stated that pastoral ministry should respond to these needs through a welcoming attitude and personal accompaniment.

Cardinal Tolentino, the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, noted during the event that many young people feel disoriented and unheard. He suggested that the response to these challenges involves returning to interiority and the heart.