Pope: Catholic education in Africa should offer signs of hope

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV met on Friday with members of the International Foundation Religions and Societies, which promotes quality education in Africa and cooperation between the Global South and North.

In his address, the Pope noted that their pilgrimage to Rome comes just a few days after the Jubilee of the World of Education, held on October 27 to November 1.

It also comes two weeks ahead of their second Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, which will focus on the theme: “Catholic Education and the Promotion of Signs of Hope in the African Context.”

Pope Leo praised their desire to form African young people by fostering quality education “imbued with African identity”.

Recalling his words at the Jubilee of Education, the Pope lamented the symptoms of “a generalized inner fragility developing at all ages,” noting that “we cannot close our eyes to these silent cries for help.”

The Pope encouraged the group to continue their mission of improving African education while extending it to missionary cooperation between North and South.

Jesus, he said, sent His disciples “two by two,” adding that this indicates the need for collaboration in proclaiming the Gospel.

“Mission requires working in synergy, avoiding isolation, and building strong pastoral solidarity that is not limited to material means but also includes the exchange of pastoral workers between Churches,” he said.

Pope Leo also recalled a meeting held in May at the Abbey of Maredsous, in Wallonia, Belgium, organized by the International Foundation Religions and Societies.

He expressed support for their efforts to establish an International Center for Missiology and North-South Pastoral Studies.

“I hope that this institution will come to fruition and achieve the goals expressed in your resolutions, for we want to rediscover together the missionary impulse—a mission that proposes with courage and love the Gospel of Jesus,” he said.

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV invited educators in Africa to “remind everyone of the beauty of evangelization,” and prayed that the Lord may make them “missionary disciples and pastors according to His will.”