From November 23 to 26 Pope Francis will visit Japan and on 26, the Pope will come to the Yotsuya Campus to send us his message. It has been 38 years since the last visit of Pope John Paul II to Sophia University.

As you may be all aware that Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope and Sophia University is also a member of Jesuit Universities. On December 18, 2017, the Pope enjoyed chatting with our students through an event “Let’s talk with Pope Francis” via video streaming.

Upon Welcoming Pope Francis
Chancellor Fr. Tsutomu Sakuma, S.J.

I would like to express my greatest pleasure to welcome the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis. As we know that it was the special intention of Pope St.Pius X that the foundation of Sophia University was entrusted to the Society of Jesus. Then, Pope St.John Paul II came to the Yotsuya Campus upon his visit to Japan in 1981.

Thus Sophia’s closeness with the Popes is significantly acknowledged. However that closeness is considerably strengthened now, as Pope Francis himself was a Jesuit until being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992, prior to being elected as Pope. By sharing “Man for Others,” the common value and spirit, the schools operated by Sophia School Corporation and the rest of Jesuit schools and institutions located all over the world are connected and it is our joy to know such a spirit is also being shared with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, like successive popes makes the continued and utmost effort to promote reconciliation and peace in a conflicting world. Especially it was striking to see the efforts in the case of South Sudan. Not only the Pope called for reconciliation between conflicting parties, at a meeting between leaders arranged in Rome, the Pope kissed their feet. By such a humble action taken by the Pope, many has witnessed “serving leadership” and learned what it is to truly live “for others and with others.”

Let us hear the message by Pope Francis for young people of Sophia University and be inspired to live well in line with our foundation spirit.

We appreciate your kind understanding for limiting the audience to students of Sophia University. The event will not be open to the general public. Thank you.