In an intimate meeting at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV engaged in meaningful discussions with Jesuit educators from North America, centering on the pressing issues of humanity and education. Among the attendees was Rev. Joseph G. Marina, president of the University of Scranton, who shared a brief yet memorable exchange with the pontiff.
During the introduction session, Marina introduced himself to the Pope, saying, “Holy Father, my name is Joe Marina. I’m the president of the University of Scranton.” He made a connection by adding, “We’re not too far from Villanova,” referencing the Pope’s alma mater. This remark prompted a warm response from Pope Leo, who replied, “Oh, I know Scranton,” much to Marina’s delight.
“The encounter was brief yet incredibly personal and meaningful,” Marina recounted of the June meeting.
Understanding the Jesuits
The University of Scranton, located in Scranton, is a Catholic and Jesuit institution, serving over 4,600 students, including various undergraduate and graduate programs. The Jesuits, known as the Society of Jesus, comprise the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church with approximately 16,000 members globally.
Rev. Marina has been the university’s president since 2021 and joined the Jesuit order in 2004, becoming a priest in 2012. He met Pope Leo during the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Presidents’ Pilgrimage to Rome this summer.
Gregorio Borgia
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Associated Press
The Message from Pope Leo
In his address to the AJCU delegation, Pope Leo echoed themes previously discussed with educators from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, including concerns about artificial intelligence. However, his primary focus remained on the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) of the Jesuits: “Showing the way to God,” “Walking with the Excluded,” “Journeying with Youth,” and “Caring for our Common Home.”
Pope Leo urged academic leaders to foster environments where students can discover God, develop purpose, and care for disadvantaged groups such as immigrants and refugees. He also emphasized the importance of ecological sustainability. “Oftentimes young people are left without hope in a world that seems to lack the promise of a better future,” Pope Leo stated, highlighting the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and environmental degradation.
Marina found the pope’s words deeply resonant. “This wasn’t a template speech. This was something that was true to the heart of Jesuit higher education,” he said, expressing how the meeting reinvigorated their mission.
A Memorable Encounter
This gathering marked Marina’s first direct encounter with a pope, a moment he described as unforgettable. Reflecting on his past, Marina shared a memory of seeing Pope John Paul II in the late ’70s, though he was not yet a Jesuit or priest at that time.
Meeting Pope Leo was a unique experience. “I could actually look into the eyes of a pope, tell him my name, shake his hand, and get a warm response,” Marina said. “It’s not like meeting a king or a prime minister… it’s like meeting someone who you feel you’ve known all along.”
The meeting concluded with a special gift: a rosary personally blessed by the Pope. Marina plans to give this memento to his 87-year-old aunt in New Jersey, a gesture that adds a personal touch to the significant event.
