Pope asks Notre Dame university to become uncompromising witness on Catholic identity

Pope Francis welcomed on Thursday a large delegation from the University of Notre Dame, that filled most of the Vatican's Clementine Hall.

The group's audience with the Pope marked the inauguration of their new education center in the heart of Rome.

REV. JOHN JENKINS
President, University of Notre Dame (USA)
"We are proud to be a Catholic university, born from the heart of the Church, that strives to be a community of scholars and students devoted to the pursuit of the truth in harmony with faith.”

In his prepared remarks, Pope Francis thanked the university for their work in educating young people, according to Catholic teachings. But he went further and tasked the university with becoming an "uncompromising witness” to the Church's moral teachings and its Catholic identity.

POPE FRANCIS
"This is important. Her own identity, as it was established from the start. Defend it, preserve it, in order to move forward.”

Notre Dame is arguably the most recognizable Catholic university in the United States. In addition to the staff, and the board of trustees, the visiting delegation also included Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl.