Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis emphasized the importance of maintaining the Pontifical Urbanian University's long-standing focus on preparing missionaries for diverse cultures around the world. During an address on August 30, he stressed that the university's "missionary and intercultural specificity" should be evident in its curriculum to ensure graduates can effectively mediate the Christian message across different cultures and religions.

"We need priests, consecrated persons, and lay people filled with missionary zeal for evangelizing cultures and thus inculturating the Gospel," Pope Francis told members of the Dicastery for Evangelization responsible for the university. He underscored that evangelizing culture and inculturating the Gospel are interconnected tasks.

The dicastery members, including cardinals, bishops, and religious figures from various continents, convened at a special plenary session at the Vatican on August 29-30 to discuss the university. The Pontifical Urbanian University originated from the Urban College founded in 1627 to train missionaries.

According to recent data from the conference of rectors of pontifical universities in Rome, there were 1,357 students from 102 nations enrolled at Urbanian for the 2021-22 academic year. Most students receive scholarships from the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Fides, a news agency under the dicastery, reported on August 29 that staff reorganization was underway. For the 2023-24 academic year, there were 62 full professors and 113 adjunct or visiting professors. Following an evaluation of course offerings and student enrollment per class, Fides noted that for 2024-25 there will be 47 full professors and 40 adjunct or visiting lecturers.

Despite some speculation following Pope Francis's request in May to merge three Jesuit-run institutions in Rome into one university—the Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Biblical Institute, and Pontifical Oriental Institute—the pope clarified that Urbanian would not be merged with another institution.

"The inspiration and needs that led to the foundation of the university remain as timely as ever," he said. However, this heritage must adapt to contemporary challenges facing both church and society.

"We do not live in a Christian society," Pope Francis stated. "But we are called to live as Christians in today’s pluralistic society — as Christians open to others."