Reflections on Rome: Presidents Share Highlights from AJCU Pilgrimage

“It was an honor to meet Pope Leo XIV and hear his call for our institutions to be powerful channels for solidarity and the common good. His remarks underscored the distinctive mission of Jesuit higher education: to seek truth, walk with those on the margins, accompany young people with hope, care for our common home and engage emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence with wisdom and moral clarity.” – Vincent Rougeau, J.D., College of the Holy Cross (Read more)

“Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J. [vice provost of Fairfield Bellarmine] and I were grateful for the opportunity to be in that room among colleagues who are engaged in the same mission to educate young people. It’s a purpose that we’ve dedicated our lives to and that the Church does so well. Everything we do at the University is geared toward the students in our care, and that’s how Pope Leo framed his remarks too—toward all those who seek education.” – Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D., Fairfield University (Read more)

“To stand before the first American Holy Father as the representative of a New York Jesuit institution was a moment of immense joy, pride, and gratitude. In his address to our delegation, Pope Leo XIV spoke beautifully about the ‘palpable and growing hunger for God’ among young people and challenged our universities to be ‘powerful channels’ for systemic change, solidarity, and the common good.” – Tania Tetlow, J.D., Fordham University (Read more)

“At a time when the value of higher education is too often measured in narrow terms, the Holy Father reminded us of its deeper purpose: to cultivate wisdom, foster civic responsibility, and form women and men committed to the dignity of every person and the well-being of society. It strengthened our resolve to work together, across our Jesuit institutions, in service of a more hopeful and humane future.” – Katia Passerini, Ph.D., Gonzaga University (Read more)

“When we met with him in Rome, Pope Leo placed real responsibility before Jesuit higher education. He spoke of discernment as a practical resource for decision-making and called us to pursue truth, walk with those on the margins, cultivate solidarity and help young people create a hope-filled future.” – Carolyn Noll Sorg, M.F.A., John Carroll University (Read more)

“The private audience with Pope Leo was one of the most moving experiences of my lifetime, one that brought me feelings of profound joy, reverence and gratitude. As a lifelong Catholic who has thought about this moment since I was young, meeting the Pope made a distant spiritual dream personal and tangible.” – Linda LeMura, Ph.D., Le Moyne College (Read more)

“Like most university presidents, I spend my days navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and competing expectations. Yet I left feeling lighter than when I had arrived. It’s not that the challenges had disappeared, but I had been reminded why they are worth carrying … In a world that often feels overheated — politically, technologically, and environmentally — I came home reminded that the work of a university is about so much more than generating knowledge. We are offering wisdom, cultivating hope, and, whenever possible, creating spaces where others can find shade.” – Thomas Poon, Ph.D., Loyola Marymount University (Read more)

“It was a true privilege to be in Pope Leo’s presence and present him with a gift on behalf of the AJCU delegation. The Holy Father emphasized the critical role of institutions of higher education to address the multitude of challenges facing humanity today. As a Catholic and Jesuit institution, Loyola draws strength from this clear message of encouragement and support for our educational mission.” – Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., Loyola University Chicago (Read more)

Above: President Reed presented a bust of St. Ignatius of Loyola on behalf of the AJCU presidents to Pope Leo.

“The Holy Father challenged us to remain grounded in something greater than ourselves. He spoke about following our ‘North Star,’ living with greater grace and always striving to see God in all things…To spend time with Father Sosa was incredibly meaningful. His wisdom, humility and vision for Jesuit education reinforced the responsibility we have as leaders of Jesuit institutions. Our mission has always been to educate people who will change the world through faith, intellect and service. This pilgrimage strengthened my commitment to that calling.” – Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D., Loyola University New Orleans (Read more)

“I was profoundly moved to share greetings from our Marquette University family during an inspiring meeting with Pope Leo XIV that culminated our pilgrimage. The Holy Father affirmed that the Jesuits’ Universal Apostolic Preferences are a proven and trusted guide to address the challenges we face in higher education and in our world. At the close of our time together, Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic Blessing on us pilgrims, which he extended to members of our institutional communities.” – Kimo Ah Yun, Ph.D., Marquette University (Read more)

“During our pilgrimage, I had the privilege of meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus. While these moments were extraordinary, what will remain with me most is not simply the significance of the meetings themselves, but the invitation they carried…We were challenged to lead with courage, to accompany those on the margins, to pursue truth with humility and to build communities where every person is seen, valued, and called to flourish.” – Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Ed.D., Regis University (Read more)

“As a university president, I was reminded that institutions of higher learning have a unique responsibility to cultivate intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and a commitment to the common good. Our exchange with the Holy Father and other leaders reinforced the value of dialogue across cultures, disciplines, and perspectives. I left our meetings with a renewed appreciation for the transformative role that education can play in building stronger communities and addressing the complex challenges facing our world.” – Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., Rockhurst University (Read more)

“To hear Pope Leo speak about the importance of what we do as institutions that form men and women for others, and to pray with him and alongside my AJCU colleagues, was a deeply moving experience. I left the meeting grateful and energized, with a deeper awareness of the responsibility and privilege we share as Jesuit university leaders.” – Edward Feser, Ph.D., Saint Louis University (Read more)

“The opportunity to gather with fellow Jesuit university presidents and hear directly from Pope Leo XIV and Fr. Sosa was both inspiring and affirming. Their message reminds us that Jesuit education has an essential role to play in forming graduates who possess not only knowledge and professional expertise, but also the moral courage and compassion needed to address the challenges of our world.” – Hubert Benitez, D.D.S, Ph.D., Saint Peter’s University (Read more)

“Meeting Pope Leo XIV was a profound and humbling experience. His message reinforced that our responsibility as educators transcends the traditional goal of merely preparing students for successful careers in their respective fields…This vision of education as a transformative force continues to guide our work at St. John’s College, inspiring us to cultivate an environment where critical thinking and ethical decision-making are paramount.” – Mirtha Alicia “Alice” Peralta, Ph.D., St. John’s College (Belize) (Read more)

“It’s hard to describe what it feels like and how inspiring it is when you’re there not only representing yourself, but a much broader reality, namely the mission of Jesuit higher education and The University of Scranton. I was very proud to represent this fine institution that we all know and love so well. And I want to bring that experience back here to Scranton. It should not be just a memory and an experience that I had but something that we can all share together.” – Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., The University of Scranton (Read more)

“Meeting Pope Leo XIV was a profound affirmation of the mission of Jesuit, Catholic higher education. His message reminded us that universities are called not simply to transmit knowledge, but to form women and men who seek truth, accompany those on the margins, cultivate hope, care for our common home, and ensure that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence always serve human dignity and the common good.” – Salvador D. Aceves, Ed.D., University of San Francisco (Read more)

“It was an incredible experience to be a pilgrim on this unique journey to Rome. Our meetings with both Pope Leo and Fr. Sosa will strengthen our AJCU network and commitment toward Jesuit, Catholic education as we journey with our students in building a hope-filled future.” – Colleen Hanycz, Ph.D., Xavier University (Read more)