CHAPTER 1
THE POPES AND SOPHIA UNIVERSITY
Sophia is a Catholic university, and examining its history demonstrates its close connections with the Popes.
Joseph Dahlmann, S.J., who played a crucial role in the founding of Sophia University, urged the necessity of the establishment of a higher educational institution in Japan at his audience with Pope Pius X in 1905. As a result Pope Pius X entrusted the establishment of this institution to the Society of Jesus, leading to the opening of Sophia University in 1913.
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is a religious order in the Catholic Church that grew rapidly in the 16th to 17th centuries. It established hundreds of schools, particularly in Europe. Francis Xavier, who introduced Christianity to Japan, was a Jesuit missionary whose activities are widely known.
In this Chapter we will examine Sophia’s connections with the Popes in chronological order up to Pope Francis.
1.Chronological Table
With the approval of Pope Paul III, the Society of Jesus was founded.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was appointed as the first Superior General.
Saint Francis Xavier, S.J, came to Japan.
With a high evaluation of the Japanese character, Xavier expressed a longing to establish a university in Japan in his letters to fellow Jesuits.
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October 1903 Joseph Dahlmann, S.J., who played a key role in establishing Sophia University, came to Japan for scholarly research. |
 Pope Pius X |
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July 1905 Fr. Dahlmann reported to Pope Pius X about the results of his investigations in Japan. |
 資料番号：ネガ1_0323Sophia’s first red-brick school building |
Pope Pius X requested that the Society of Jesus establish a Catholic institution of higher education in Japan.
Opening of Sophia University.
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February 25, 1981 Pope John Paul II visited Sophia University. |
 資料番号：ネガ2_5602X_13Welcoming Pope John Paul II at Sophia’s Main Gate |
The Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio was elected to be Pope Francis.
Delegates from Sophia University were granted an audience with Pope Francis.
Pope Francis visited Sophia University.
2.The Visit of Pope John Paul II (February 1981)
資料番号：来訪者_3_00002Pope John Paul II
264th Pope, October 1978 to April 2005
From the sound data we can recognize the joy of the audience at the Pope’s speech, filled with humor. He used the word “Sophia” repeatedly in his address, indicating his high expectations for our university. The full text of the address is featured in our university newspaper, Jōchi Daigaku Tsūshin.
資料番号：ネガ2_5602Z_8_0002
Despite his early morning visit, more than 500 people gathered.
資料番号：ネガ2-5602Z5-6
The Pope’s address
※ His address started around 8min 40sec.
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資料番号：ネガ2-5602Z8-9The message of Pope John PaulⅡ
University Newspaper Jōchi Daigaku Tsūshin. No.95 published on March 25, 1981
Other episodes related to the visit of Pope John PaulⅡ are introduced in “Learning about Sophia on the Web” in our official website.
3.Pope Francis and Sophia University
The Pope’s congratulatory message※Please click for the entire message (with Japanese translation).
Exhibited is the Pope’s congratulatory message sent to the centennial celebration of the founding of Sophia University. His message recalled Japan’s encounter with Saint Francis Xavier and Sophia’s connection with Pope Pius X, and then addressed the mission of today’s university.
Pope Francis answered a student’s question about the purpose of study in a university.
The followings are the video and an article from Jōchi Daigaku Tsūshin. relating to the event.
Click here for the Video “Let’s speak to Pope Francis” (2h 25min 21sec)We celebrated the Pope’s birthday (81 years on December 17) by singing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish.
Jōchi Daigaku Tsūshin. No.423 published on January 29, 2018
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The Message of Pope Francis (from the online event)
