Vatican hosts international congress on pastoral care in schools and universities

The International Congress for Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities took place at the Vatican on October 22-23. Organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the event brought together approximately 1,200 participants from over 60 countries to discuss the challenges of pastoral care in educational settings.

Key themes included cultivating interiority, the 'human digital' aspect of education, and educating for peace. During a session titled ‘Human Digital,’ Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe addressed the importance of engaging the imagination of young people in the age of artificial intelligence. He emphasized that in a digital world often filled with distraction, the ability to pay acute attention to others is a precious and necessary skill.

The congress included conferences, roundtables, and an audience with the Pope, providing a platform for educational institutions to reflect on their role in the integral formation of students amidst rapid social and technological transformations.