TRUMAN_17

HISTORIC MEETING
AT THE VATICAN
Scholas Occurrentes and Truman to Partner on Educational
Encounter for Youth of Different Religions
Truman Institute and Hebrew University leaders had the
honor of meeting with Pope Francis and Scholas Occurrentes
Global Directors on a visit to the Vatican that marked the
beginning of an exciting collaboration for the Institute.
In the 45-minute meeting, which was held in
an unprecedented atmosphere of friendship,
the Pope, along with Scholas President, José
María del Corral and Scholas Secretary and
Global Director, Enrique Palmeyro, Presented
his view of the project to his Israeli guests:
Hebrew University president Prof. Menahem
Ben Sasson; Mr. Yossi Gal, Vice President of
External Relations; Truman Institute Director
Prof. Menahem Blondheim, and Executive
Director Ms. Naama Shpeter.
The leader of more than 1.2 billion Catholics
around the world expressed happiness and
satisfaction that the Institute will handle this
important project. “Religion can bring us
together and teach us to create the bonds
of friendship,” the Pope stated. “With the
intuition of Scholas and the intelligence and
history of the Hebrew University, I am sure
that this will produce great changes in the
world.”
The unique invitation came from the Pontifical
Foundation Scholas Occurrentes after it selected
the Truman Institute to organize and host the first
international congress of Scholas Occurentes in
Jerusalem. Scholas is an educational organization
established by Pope Francis when he was
Archbishop of Argentina. Initiated on the local
level and taken international when the Pope began
his reign, Scholas is dedicated to educating youth
towards values, leadership and peacebuilding.
The four-day 2nd Scholas Chairs International
Congress and a simultaneous inter-religious
youth meeting, “Between University and School -
Peacebuilding through Culture of Encounter,” will
take place at the Truman Institute in July 2017.
2 TRUMAN NEWSLETTER 2017