Universities Should Offer an "Integral Formation," Says Pope

The Pope offered this advice when he met with university students of Rome, who attended a Mass in the Vatican in preparation for Christmas. Rectors and students of 28 European universities also attended the Tuesday afternoon Mass.

During the homily, the Pontiff suggested that the faithful look at the 20th century and our days: "How fragile powers have turned out to be that pretended to impose their own dominion!"

"Also science, technology and culture, when they show pretensions of omnipotence, reveal themselves in the end to be like grass that quickly dries, as a flower that withers and dies," he said.

Recalling his "personal experience in the university," he said that "from the daily contact with students and professors, I understood that it is necessary to offer an integral formation, adapted to prepare young people with a teaching that educates them to assume in a responsible way their role in the family and in society, with a competence that is not only professional but also human and spiritual."