In addressing pilgrims in various languages, the Holy Father greeted UNIV 2026 participants
– meetings of 2,500 students from 26 countries experiencing the Holy Week with the Holy Father, as well as those wishing to participate
in a gathering with the prelate Opus Dei. This year
UNIV is devoted to the subject "Building bridges: the art of dialogue".
The reflection of this edition comes from a paradox that
He knows a lot. Pedro Lima (Brazil), 1 of the organizers, says: “We live in an era of hyperconnection.
And paradoxically lonely. We've never had so many voices around us and so small ability to truly perceive to each other. Therefore, the most urgent challenge of our generation is possibly learning dialogue: listening with openness to change, seeking the fact together, recognizing in the second
not an opponent, but besides a companion of the road.”
Pili Fernández (Guatemala), besides from the organizational team, pointed to another context: “UNIV is simply a minute to halt and think about how we want to proceed building the planet and relationships with others. He says
a lot about dialog and truth. fact as a motor of healthy curiosity, which allows us to adjust our position to reality and open up with awe of dialog with others."
The program includes conferences, artistic shows
and master classes with speakers with very different profiles. These include: Hope Kean, neuroscience specialist from MIT (USA); Santiago Martínez, manager
Inter-Cultur; Jack Valero, co-founder of Catholic Voices; Caitlin West, author of the podcast Crash Course Catholicism; and Juan Acosta, lecturer at the University
La Sabana (Colombia), expert in human rights procedural strategies.
UNIV meetings were initiated in 1968 with inspiration
St. Josemaría, founder of Opus Dei, as an experience of universality of the Church and unity with the Holy Father.
Over 100,000 students took part in these 58 years. As an expression of gratitude, tradition is,
that the participants visit his temporal remains in the prelate church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Peace.
This year's edition besides has a solidarity dimension, marked by the Holy Father's call to peace and the situation of many countries in conflict, persecution or natural disasters. Of which
The spirit of UNIV 2026 participants will advance initiatives supporting the Be Do Care project, which supports social and professional activities with a sustainable and long-term impact.
APW, KAI
