The importance of culture and knowledge was the focus of Pope Francis’ speech during his reception today of a delegation from Solkhan Saba Orbeliani University from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. In his speech, His Holiness stopped at the participation of knowledge and faith in illuminating life.
Pope Francis received today, Monday, a delegation from the University of Solkhan Saba Orbeliani from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. At the beginning of his speech, His Holiness welcomed his guests, including professors and students, and congratulated everyone on the university’s reaching its twentieth year shortly before. Then the Holy Father thanked the audience for this visit and also for what they are doing, as they provide, according to what he continued, an example of passionate cultural research and care for that inestimable good represented in the cultural formation of young people. Speaking of education, Pope Francis stressed that this is precisely what it does, helping the younger generations to grow, to discover the deepest roots and to preserve them so that they bear fruit. He added that this is in line with Georgia’s identity as a young country with a long history, and a land blessed by heaven. In this context, the Holy Father recalled his relationship with the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Georgia, Patriarch Elijah, and talked about that he remembers him in his prayers and carries in his heart the meetings that brought them together, especially when we were one next to the other, His Holiness said, in the Patriarchal Cathedral, during the Pope’s Apostolic Visit to Georgia. Year 2016. He added that this meeting was in the mark of Christ’s shirt, which the Bible describes as “woven from top to bottom”, which symbolizes the unity of the Church, the body of Christ. The Pope continued telling his guests that their university is an example from this point of view as well, thanks to the fruitful cooperation between Catholics and Orthodox on the cultural and educational level.
Pope Francis then spoke about the fact that the word education in the Georgian language comes from the word light, which suggests a transition from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. He continued, telling those present that education for them means going out into the light again, and this is synonymous with enlightenment. He added that when we light a lamp in a dark room, nothing changes from what exists except that the appearance of everything changes, and this is what the knowledge that is acquired in your university does, said the Pope, which calls for placing the dignity of the human person at the center. The Holy Father reminded here of the importance of studying for self-knowledge, and added that whoever wants to know God must begin with self-knowledge, according to what an old monk said.
Pope Francis went on to point out the need for this enlightenment of knowledge in a world where the darkness of hatred intensifies, which often results from forgetfulness and indifference that make everything seem dark and inconspicuous, while culture and education restore the memory of history and illuminate the present. The Holy Father stressed that this is an indispensable thing for young people and for society, and he also stopped at the Georgian culture that calls for keeping the lamp of education lit and the window of faith open to illuminate the rooms of life. He pointed out that the origin of the word light in the Georgian language is found in the words education and baptism, thus combining culture and faith. Then Pope Francis spoke about the history of Georgia and the many transitions it witnessed from darkness to light, as this country has always managed to rise again and restore its luster even when it was exposed more than once throughout its history to foreign invasion and domination. His Holiness continued that the youth of Georgia had preserved, even in the darkest periods, a positive spirit thanks to faith and culture, and the Pope pointed out in this context to the precious role of the Catholic Church. Then the Holy Father told his guests that they represent a continuity of this contribution, and praised that the university is developing the service provided by the Catholic community in Georgia so that this community is a seed that bears fruit for all.
At the end of his speech, Pope Francis stressed the role of the university in creating spaces and bridges for the good of Georgia and its inhabitants, adding that the people of Georgia, starting with the youth, deserve to have broader opportunities, and the Georgian humanity, with its uniqueness and beauty, deserves greater appreciation abroad, just as the light does not shine. It exists to be seen, but rather to make what is around it visible. Culture opens horizons and expands borders.
