A blessing from Pope Francis

We parted ways with a bit of bitterness due to the cancellation, for health reasons, of the audience scheduled with Pope Francis and all the Institutes of the Network. We all received the news of our Pontiff’s sudden hospitalization for surgery: this, in addition to causing great concern, did not allow us to conclude the school year with this beautiful event, eagerly awaited by all of us. 

The occurrence has therefore represented a disappointment for our Network not only because of the conditions of the Holy Father but also for the missed opportunity to share values, experiences, and testimonies that the audience would have represented for all of us. For this reason, as a Foundation, we felt the duty and pleasure of sending a message to Pope Francis to wish him a peaceful and speedy recovery and to thank him for the commitment and enthusiasm he has shown in organizing such a physically, emotionally, and spiritually significant meeting, dedicating a long moment of prayer to him. 

On June 19, to our surprise and gratitude, we received a swift response from His Holiness, in which he thanked the entire Jesuit Education network for “the filial affection and active participation shown, especially for the unceasing prayer that the whole Church directed to the Heavenly Father to implore the gift of healing.” His Holiness’s words moved a sense of gratitude throughout the Foundation, especially in light of the fact that, in a particularly challenging moment for him, His Holiness found time to thank us for our prayers. Pope Francis’s care, however, surprised us once again as he took the time to send the Apostolic Blessing to all of us, a gesture for which our Foundation is still thankful and will always carry in its heart and memory. 

A blessing that we want to convey especially to all our children, teenagers, and young people who are about to start this new year, but also to all parents, school staff, and alumni. May the new year start on the right foot, with renewed enthusiasm, and may it see us once again as protagonists and citizens in the world.