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Pope Leo XIV urges pontifical university students to ‘guard your hearts’

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV told students and faculty at pontifical universities in Rome to guard their hearts and avoid treating intellectual work as a mere collection of data. During a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on October 8 to mark the start of the academic year, the pope said academic study must connect with the experiences of ordinary people and the poor.

Reflecting on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, the pope described intellectual inquiry as essential to faith and mission. He noted that the apostle’s words appeal to reason, memory, and critical thinking. Leo warned that false teachers in every age exploit religious sentiments for personal interests, often pushing believers toward radical views that sacrifice the whole Gospel.

The pope encouraged professors and students to view their academic work as a service to the Church and the search for truth. He stated that reason and the willingness to ask questions, when guided by Scripture and Church tradition, are indispensable to the Christian faith.

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