October 10, 2009. The Pope called on college students to build universities of high intellectual learning and to sincerely and passionately pursue the truth.
During the rosary, which was part of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, Benedict XVI was connected via satellite with eight African countries. In the end, he encouraged universities to collaborate culturally and scientifically, and to provide special assistance to African women.
Benedict XVI
“To you, dear African students, I address a special invitation to experience the time of study in preparation for developing a cultural awakening service in your country”.
Students in Rome, joined via satellite with the university of Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Mozambique. Each of them took part praying the rosary.
The Pope gave his latest encyclical, Caritas in Veritate to African students who were in Rome.
Benedict said the encyclical calls for the development of a new humanistic synthesis that integrates anthropology and technology.
Before the rosary the teens reflected on reconciliation, justice and peace. Students from five African countries gave their testimonies about their lives as Christians.
One student at Cairo University in Egypt, said he is the only Catholic Christian and has been misunderstood by some of his colleagues because he accepts them all. Another student at the University of Maputo, Mozambique, who has experienced war, said the country will be at peace only when people after people start to focus on what the things they have in common instead of what separates them.
MC/PVB
