To the Rectors and University Students of Guatemala (7 March 1983)

On Monday, 7 March 1983, the Holy Father spoke to the Rectors and students of Guatemala at the Apostolic Nunciature of Guatemala City. The Pope applauded the mission of university professors for “their influence not only on individuals, but also on nations; because it is a fact that culture shapes societies.”

Distinguished Sirs,
dear university men and women,

I am happy to have this meeting with you, Rectors, Professors and University Students of Guatemala. In my affectionate and cordial greeting to everyone present, I also want to include those who are involved, in this country and in the neighboring countries that I am visiting in these days, with the tasks specific to research, thinking and training young people. A very important sector for the human, intellectual and moral progress of people, ethnic groups and the entire society.

Therefore, I express to you my deep esteem for your work, which I shared, as a university professor, during some years of my life. In it I was able to see the transcendence of your mission, which among these peoples as a whole is called to exert a decisive influence, not only on individuals, but also on nations; because it is a fact that culture shapes societies. For this reason, when you want to build higher and fairer forms of coexistence, you must pay attention to the cultural world, because it is not just about looking for new ways of distributing wealth that are fairer, but better distribution of culture and consequent social influence.

An essential element must be the reference to the spiritual and moral values ​​of man, which in your case have materialized in the Christian vision that animates you and which has been a characteristic of the Centers that you represent here. It will be your task to maintain and corroborate this loyalty. And I hope that the Church, mother and teacher of peoples, will continue to be for you and your colleagues a place of meeting, reference and encouragement for your best initiatives in the service of the whole man.

As my brief stay here does not allow me a longer meeting, I am sending you a written message, which wishes to be a testimony of my esteem and appreciation.

Asking the Lord to enlighten your people and your activities, I give you my blessing from the bottom of my heart.

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