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6Approachgoglio, S.J. –– as a seminary student in his native Argentina. Au-gustine, Sophia’s vice president in 2017, began exploring possi-bilities with Haidar for Pope Francis to engage directly with So-phia University students.The first major step towards realizing this goal was the December 18, 2017 “Let’s Talk with Pope Francis” online event initiated by Haidar through his direct request to Pope Francis. This event left a deep impression on the more than 700 participating students and faculty members who witnessed the late Pope’s genuine spirit of engaging individually and equally with everyone.“Pope Francis carefully listened to each student’s question and answered frankly without any prepared notes. What left a par-ticularly strong impression on me was his answer to the ques-tion: ‘What are your greatest wishes and concerns for young peo-ple today?’ He replied, ‘Young people have the energy to move forward, but I’m afraid they are moving too hastily these days. If they lose touch with their roots, they will have nothing to sup-port their growth. I would like to see them continue to move but to be firmly rooted as they face their future.’ In recent years, DEIB –– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging –– have come into focus. I believe that Pope Francis was referring to the importance of ‘belonging,’ while at the same time being confidently oneself.”A Message Reaffirming the Value of EducationThe visit of Pope Francis to Sophia University was finally real-ized on November 26, 2019, on the personal wish of Pope Francis.In 2018, while serving as Sophia School Corporation Trustee for General Affairs, Augustine became involved in the planning of inviting Pope Francis to Sophia. At this time, the visit of Pope Francis to Japan was being eagerly anticipated. Since the trip to Japan had a diplomatic element, it was unclear that a visit to So-phia could be realized. Augustine, recalling the time, related, “The late Pope said that he personally wanted to meet fellow Jesuits in Japan, and this is what led to his visit to Sophia.”After praying in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for peace, Pope Francis held a Mass in Tokyo Dome attended by around 50,000 people. On the fourth and final day of his stay in Japan, he visited Sophia where he celebrated Mass at the Kulturheim Chapel with mem-bers of the Jesuit community and shared a simple breakfast with them afterward. He then addressed students and faculty in a con-ference hall, delivering his message, “To Students at Universitas Sedis Sapientiae (Latin for “a University that is a ‘Seat of Wis-dom ’ ”). The name Jochi, the Japanese name of Sophia Univer-sity, is taken from the Japanese text of the Catholic prayer titled The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the titles given to Mary in this litany is ‘Seat of Wisdom.’ ”Pope Francis began his message with a reflection on Sophia Uni-versity’s founding that dates back to St. Francis Xavier and the rec-ognition of Japan’s particular culture. He continued by referring to the university’s heritage and international identity as follows: “Sophia University has always been marked by a humanistic, Christian and international identity. From its foundation, the uni-versity has been enriched by the presence of professors from var-ious countries, even at times countries in conflict with one an-other. Yet all were united by the desire to give the best of them-selves to the young people of Japan. That same spirit continues in the many ways that you provide help to those in greatest need, here and abroad. I am confident that this aspect of your universi-ty’s identity will grow ever stronger, so that today’s great techno-logical advances can be put at the service of a more humane, more just and ecologically responsible education.”Moved by the message as a person deeply involved in higher ed-ucation, Augustine shared his own thoughts on the future of So-phia:“Simply providing students with specialized knowledge and in-formation and having them graduate can be done anywhere. But when we, as a Catholic and Jesuit university, speak of “truly fos-tering individuals,” we face the crucial question of what kind of human beings we are aiming to cultivate. Pope Francis said, ‘No student of your university should graduate without having learned how to choose, responsibly and freely, what he or she knows in conscience is best. In every situation, even the most complex, may they be concerned that their conduct is just and humane, consci-entious and responsible, and show themselves resolute defend-ers of the vulnerable. May they be known for their integrity so greatly needed in these times when words and actions are often either misleading or deceitful.’ This serves as a model for reaffirm-ing Sophia’s educational spirit and motto in today’s society: ‘For Others, With Others.’ It is also our mission to cultivate individu-als who will take on the responsibility of building a better world.”Now that Pope Francis has passed away, Augustine finds himself reflecting deeply on the message he left behind. 2025 is a Cath-olic Church Jubilee year, a special occasion that occurs once in 25 years. The Jubilee theme chosen by Pope Francis, “Pilgrims of Hope,” encouraged Augustine to reflect even more deeply.SOPHIA MAGAZINE Vol. 20© Vatican Media