Pope sends message to the Second Synodal Meeting of University Rectors for the Care of Our Common Home

From 20 to 24 May, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro is hosting the II Synodal Meeting of University Rectors for the Care of our Common Home, an initiative that marks the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si' and prepares the way for COP30, to be held in 2025 in Brazil. 

The event brings together representatives of around 200 universities from the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula, under the theme ‘Ecological Debt and Public Hope’, promoting collective discernment and the construction of synodal proposals to face the socio-environmental crisis.

In his video message, Pope Leo XIV expressed his support and gratitude to the participating universities, emphasising the role of academia in promoting ecological and social justice and encouraging reflection on the cancellation of public and ecological debt. ‘I encourage you to continue building bridges,’ says the Holy Father, also leaving his blessing on all the participants.

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa joins this initiative, highlighting the value of cooperation between universities in building a fairer and more fraternal future - a commitment reiterated in the speech by President Isabel Capeloa Gil at the Master Class entitled ‘Praise of Hope: a cultural look at integral ecology in a time of disruption’ on 15 May at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio).

Watch the Pope's message Here.