Pubblichiamo di seguito il videomessaggio che il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI ha registrato in occasione del 400^mo anniversario della fondazione dell’Università Pontificia di Santo Tomas, Manila (Filippine). La celebrazione dell’anniversario è avvenuta ieri 28 gennaio, memoria liturgica di San Tommaso, alla presenza dell’Inviato Speciale del Papa, l'Em.mo Card. Zenon Grocholewski:

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Dear Friends,

I am pleased to send my warm greetings to the students, staff and alumni of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas as you celebrate the four-hundredth anniversary of its foundation. This is a signifìcant event in the life of the Church and, although I cannot be with you physically, I am happy to speak to you personally in this way, to unite myself to you spiritually, and to offer all of you my affectionate congratulations on this happy occasion.
It is with thanksgiving that I recall the many clergy, religious and laity who, at Santo Tomas, have handed down to generations of Filipinos the faith, knowledge and wisdom to be found in the religious and secular sciences. In particular, I salute the memory of your founder, Bishop Miguel de Benavides, and the great commitment of the Dominicans who have guided the institution through the many challenges of the past four centuries. As you know, the University of Santo Tomas is the oldest institution of Catholic higher education in the Far East and it continues to play a very important role in the Church throughout the region. I am confident that, keeping in mind the faith and reason that are always part of a truly integrated approach to education, your University will continue to contribute to the intellectual, spiritual and cultural enrichment of the Philippines and beyond. I also pray that you will always seek a knowledge of matters human and divine in the light of that ultimate clarity found in the person of Jesus Christ (cf. Jn 8: 12).
Invoking the wise intercession of your heavenly patron, Saint Thomas Aquinas, I willingly impart to you my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of grace and peace.

[00142-02.01] [Original text: English]