VISIT OF POPE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAPIENZA : A RE-THINKING

After three days of rising protests from students and professors, Pope Benedict XVI has pulled out of a long scheduled visit to Rome's historic La Sapienza University. The Pontiff had been invited by the La Sapienza rector. Pope was scheduled to deliver the speech as part of a ceremony to inaugurate the academic year at the university, which was founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303. In the speech, the pope was expected explore the mission of popes and of universities. About 67 of the 4,500 professors at the university had signed a letter to the university rector, saying the pope should not be allowed to give the inauguration speech for the academic year. The university has 145,000 students.

Italians condemned the protests, saying they smacked of censorship. Politicians and pundits used words like “shame” and “humiliation” to describe national sentiment .The intolerance against the Holy Father has cause a wave of protests across Italy. The universal church and the world leaders also send the messages that supports the Pope.

According to me what happened at La Sapienza represents a grave and illegitimate act of intolerance that profoundly tarnishes the conscience of the Italian university. Also it is a time for rethinking for the European especially for Italian church, why such a thinking pattern is growing in a catholic nation like Italy. Another point of reflection is that why the rector of the university gave permission to make the protest on the day of the visit of Pope. He could suggest them to make protest other days and times except the time of the visit of His Holiness. Because he, the rector is the one who invited the Pope to inaugurate the academic year.

I would also like to ask to the professors and students a question , this protest against the Pope is said to be based on the 'secular' nature of science. Why aren't you protesting the presence of politicians at the inauguration of the academic year? Isn't science also non-political? Let us answer these questions understanding the signs of the time.

For further Reading :

http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-21526
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKHO56337920080115?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0