Education

Pope Leo XIV urges pontifical university students to 'guard your hearts'

Catholic IntelligenceOct 8, 2026Updated Oct 8, 12:53 PM PT1 min read

Pope Leo XIV told students and faculty at pontifical universities to guard their hearts during a Mass celebrating the opening of the academic year at St. Peter's Basilica.

Reflecting on the Letter to the Galatians, the pope said that intelligence, memory, and critical thinking are essential to faith and mission. He warned that false teachers often exploit the religious feelings of believers to serve their own interests, sometimes pushing people to radicalize specific teachings while ignoring the Gospel of Christ.

The pope cautioned against reducing intellectual work to the mere collection of data, noting that algorithms can process information faster than humans but lack the ability to remember lived experiences and their human resonance. He encouraged students and professors to view their studies as a service to faith and truth that benefits others.

Leo XIV stated that the Church has a responsibility to protect the integrity of divine revelation through scientific reflection, cultural mediation, and prayerful intelligence. He urged the academic community to ask questions guided by Scripture and Church tradition to better connect study with the lives of others, particularly the poor.

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