By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Apr 12, 2025 /
05:34 am
Pope Francis encouraged university students linked to Opus Dei to share “the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dead and risen” with everyone during this jubilee year in a message to participants of an international congress in Rome.
In a Spanish language letter released by the Holy See on Saturday, the pope greeted young people attending the International UNIV Congress 2025, which is taking place in Rome from April 12-20 during Holy Week.
“The International UNIV Congress that you are holding in Rome brings you together these days in the celebration of a double jubilee event: Holy Year 2025 and the centenary of the priestly ordination of St. Josemaría Escrivá,” the pope wrote in the letter dated April 8.
The Holy Father noted these occasions offer “many reasons to give thanks to God and to continue walking with enthusiasm in faith, diligent in charity and persevering in hope.”
The pope said he joins in the students’ joy and accompanies them with his prayer, “asking the Lord that this time of pilgrimage and fraternal encounter may impel you to bring to everyone the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dead and risen, as an announcement of the hope that fulfills promises, leads to glory and, founded on love, does not disappoint.”
He concluded by asking for prayers and imparting his blessing: “May Jesus bless you and Holy Virgin care for you. And I ask you, please, do not forget to pray for me.”
The UNIV Congress began in 1968, inspired by St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. According to information from the organization, Escrivá “dreamed of an international meeting of university students from five continents who would ask themselves big questions” to help improve the world.
Each year, students participate in this experience during Holy Week in Rome, where they can “listen to experts and join problem-solving forums, as well as attend the Easter Triduum ceremonies” and meet with the Prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz.
AC Wimmer (刘威猛) is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.
