The following is the Letter sent by the Holy Father Francis to the new Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, the Reverend Msgr. Alfonso V. Amarante, C.SS.R., titular archbishop-elect of Sorres:

Letter

Dear brother,

Having chosen you as Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, I entrust you with a laborious and hopeful task. You will have to complete the work so well begun by your predecessor, Professor Vincenzo Buonomo. It is a matter of making the Lateran University more robust and agile to better honour its first task: to proclaim the truth and joy of the Gospel through study, reflection and academic work. The “Pope’s University” will have to immerse itself in this mission, aware of its special closeness to the Successor of Peter and his task of confirming the brethren, and this in the historical, ecclesial and cultural epoch in which the Lord has called us to live.

In this context, I have decided to appoint a Managing Director to help you in the administrative and economic management, and in the elaboration of a development plan that will make the Lateran University a protagonist of the ecclesiastical and civil university system.

In didactic and administrative planning, listening to the signs of the times, taking advantage of the collaboration with the Pontifical Institutes inserted ad instar Facultatis in the University, you will make use of the competent university bodies, involving them, so that they support the didactic and managerial changes that will prove necessary.

You will also be supported by the Higher Coordination Council, which I set up by Rescript of 21 August 2021, in which, in addition to the figures already envisaged, other qualified members of the Roman Curia and of the university world will be included, in order to express also institutionally the special link between the Lateran University and the Apostolic See.

Your task includes the integration of the Lateran University in the process, desired by me and coordinated by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, with a view to the reorganization of the Roman Pontifical Academic Institutions. I trust that, by making you the voice of the entire University, you will contribute with intelligence, prudence, creativity and courage to this process, which will begin this coming 12 September.

May the Spirit of the Risen Christ be with you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, accompany you. Please, pray for me.

Vatican City, 1 August 2023

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori

FRANCIS