Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday called on the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to continue promoting peace, dialogue and understanding in a world facing growing divisions and conflict. Speaking during a meeting with the university's Board of Governors at the Vatican, the Pope encouraged the institution to help shape a future built on hope, harmony and mutual respect.
Welcoming the delegation, Pope Leo expressed his hope that their visit would deepen their understanding of both Vatican City and Rome. He noted that Rome has played a central role in the history of Christianity and has also served as a meeting place for different cultures and peoples for thousands of years.
The Pope highlighted the important role universities play in society. He said institutions of higher learning have long been places where students and teachers come together to seek knowledge, exchange ideas and grow in wisdom. According to him, universities should continue creating opportunities for meaningful encounters among people from different backgrounds.
Pope Leo acknowledged that maintaining such an environment is not always easy. However, he stressed that universities must constantly work to ensure that dialogue and understanding remain at the heart of academic life. He said relationships with others, along with different languages and cultures, are essential elements of human identity and development.
Describing universities as natural places of encounter, the Pope said they have traditionally been centres of dialogue where the pursuit of knowledge is closely connected with the exchange of ideas. He noted that respectful discussions allow people to learn from one another, even when they hold different opinions or viewpoints.
The Holy Father said that genuine dialogue enables individuals to gain a deeper understanding of others through their experiences and perspectives. Such exchanges, he explained, help build stronger communities and encourage personal growth.
Pope Leo also pointed out that patient and respectful engagement can gradually remove barriers of misunderstanding and distrust. He said that through perseverance and openness, people can overcome divisions and create stronger bonds based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Reflecting on the responsibility of believers, the Pope said that God calls people to become instruments of peace in the world. However, he emphasized that this mission begins at a personal level. Rather than believing peace is unattainable, individuals should actively seek to cultivate it within themselves and in their communities.
He encouraged the members of the Hebrew University community to become what he described as "artisans of true peace." Such peace, he said, is humble, patient and capable of disarming hostility rather than deepening conflict.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo expressed his hope that the Hebrew University of Jerusalem would continue serving as a beacon of hope and unity. At a time when many societies are experiencing division and tension, he said educational institutions have a unique role in bringing people together and fostering understanding among different communities.
The Pope's message underscored the importance of education, dialogue and mutual respect as powerful tools for building a more peaceful and united world.