Vatican to host international congress on pastoral care in schools and universities

The Dicastery for Culture and Education will host an international congress on school and university pastoral care on October 22 and 23 at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. The event, themed "Drawing New Maps of Hope," seeks to support a new era of education following an apostolic letter published by Pope Leo XIV in October 2025.

The congress will bring together educators, teachers, chaplains, academics, and representatives from various educational institutions and cultural sectors from around the Catholic world. Participants will discuss three central themes of current papal teaching: interiority, digitalization, and peace. The program includes a lecture titled "Educating for Peace," which will feature former Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Cardinal José Tolentino Mendonça, the prefect of the dicastery, will lead the opening session and initial greetings. Participants are scheduled to meet with Pope Leo XIV on October 22.