In his speech to the plenary of the Congregation for Catholic Education (9-II-2017), Pope Francis has referred to the important role of Catholic universities and Catholic schools. To this purpose it is worth underlining, among other things, the growing interest in work together of these two types of educational institutions.

As the Pope recalled in the exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, "Universities are a privileged setting for thinking about and developing the commitment to evangelization"; and "Catholic schools (...) constitute a very valid contribution to the evangelization of culture, even in countries and cities where an adverse status stimulates us to use creativity to find the right paths" (n. 134). 

Francis highlighted three aspects, needs or, as he called them, expectations in this task: humanizing Education, promote the culture of dialogue and sowing hope.

First of all, the Pope warns that "in the face of an invasive individualism, which renders humanly poor and culturally sterile, it is necessary to humanize the Education".

It explains how the growth and maturation of the person, in the framework of an integral humanism, constitute the center of the work educational of both universities and schools. An integral vision of the person, such as that which inspires educational institutions with a Catholic spirit, implies openness to transcendence, that is, to the ultimate end of the person and of society, which in the Christian perspective is found in God.

This is how it is, and it guarantees, for those who freely desire it, a good foundation for a more united and peaceful world. Since this foundation, God as supreme being, can be reached by reason, and not only by religion, a whole field of dialogue opens up between faith and reason, between religion and ethics.

In relation to this dialogue, there is a need for the culture of dialogue to grow (second expectation). Along with the positive aspects of globalization, there remain in our world so many expressions of a "throwaway culture" (violence, poverty, exploitation, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, etc.).

"In this context - the Pope points out - Catholic educational institutions are called in the front line to practice the grammar of dialogue that forms in the meeting and in the evaluation of cultural and religious diversities".

What conditions does authentic dialogue require? Two are indicated here: respect for and listening to the other; one's own identity, which should neither be hidden nor diminished. An identity that is nourished by evangelical inspiration, that is, by the principles and ideals arising from the Christian message.

The Pope hopes that, in this way, the new generations will leave school and university classrooms motivated to build bridges and thus find new answers to the many challenges of our time.

In a more specific sense," Francis observes, "schools and universities are called to teach a method of intellectual dialogue aimed at the search for truth". And looking at one of the conditions of authentic dialogue, he adds that St. Thomas was and still is a master of this method, which consists in taking the other, the interlocutor, seriously, "seeking to understand in depth his reasons, his objections, so as to be able to respond in a way that is not superficial but adequate. Only in this way can we truly advance together in the knowledge of truth".

Now, truth has to do with the meaning of reality, of history and of life, and therefore with hope. Thus it is understood that, together with the maturation staff and the culture of dialogue, the Education must contribute to sow hope (third expectation), a virtue that energizes life and action.

In fact," the Pope points out, "the Education is a way of being born, it is a way of growing, it is situated in the dynamic of giving life". And human life acquires a meaning plenary session of the Executive Council when it is dedicated to the beautiful, the good and the true, and to communion with others for a common growth. Therein lies the capacity of Education to "build the future".

For this Francis points out two valuable guidelines, on which he is insisting in these days, also in the perspective of the upcoming 2018 synod on young people: listen to young people and take risks in a just way, with them and for them.

In this way, he concludes, Catholic-inspired schools and universities place themselves "at the service of growth in humanity, in dialogue and in hope."

At final, it is a matter of teaching to think from a complete vision of the person, open as it is to transcendence. Teaching to dialogue with everyone, even with those who do not have a Christian vision of the person, but who are willing to listen to the reasons of others. To search together for the truth that contributes to improving the lives of people, giving them meaning and making them more fulfilling.

The educational task of universities and schools or colleges of Catholic inspiration is situated, in short, in the anthropological sphere of dialogue between faith and reason. This translates into a dialogue between religion and Philosophy (especially anthropology and ethics), as well as a dialogue between faith and the sciences, be they natural sciences or human sciences. This dialogue is developed through coexistence between teachers and students, and through interdisciplinary projects capable of fostering a renewed humanity.

The Christian Education does not impose or indoctrinate. It promotes constructive thinking and dialogue, the work with a spirit of service and hope as a breath of a better life for all.

As we pointed out at the beginning, all this opens today an important field of joint work between universities and schools or colleges of Catholic and, more broadly, Christian inspiration, since the Education is an appropriate terrain for the ecumenical partnership .