The Pope made his recommendation during a homily Friday at the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica marking the opening of the schools’ academic year.
As an «antidote to hypocrisy» — a flaw not unknown in academic circles — the Holy Father suggested «a constant exchange between what is known and what is lived; between the message of truth received as a gift with the Christian vocation, and concrete personal and communal attitudes.»
«In other words: between knowing the faith and the holiness of life,» the Pope said.
The Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, attracted more than 800 priests and thousands of seminarians and religious.
In his homily, the Pope exhorted the students to relate the search for peace, truth and charity to one another, so that universities «will become places of genuine Christian wisdom.»
Students, he said, must forge «a consistent synthesis between faith and life, between studied contents and practical conduct.»
