A Chirograph signed by Pope Leo XIV proclaims St John Henry Newman Patron of the Pontifical Urbaniana University.
Vatican News
Dated 1 November, the Solemnity of All Saints, the Chirograph decrees that Saint John Henry Newman is Patron Saint of the Pontifical Urbaniana University. The decision comes on the day when, during the Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of the World of Education, the English cardinal was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.
The document notes that Cardinal Tagle, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, put forward the request, following a proposal by Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, Pontifical Delegate of the university with the authority and powers of Rector.
Thus, the Pope decrees that “Saint John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church, born on 21 February 1801 in London, died on 11 August 1890 in Edgbaston, canonized on 13 October 2019 in St. Peter’s Square, be proclaimed Patron of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, so that he may intercede for this academic institution and be, for all who are formed within it for the Church’s missionary service, a luminous model of faith and of the sincere search for truth.”
In his homily during Mass on 1 November, Pope Leo highlighted “Newman’s impressive cultural and spiritual stature,” an inspiration for future generations “whose hearts thirst for the infinite, and who, through research and knowledge, are willing to undertake that journey which, as the ancients said, takes us per aspera ad astra, through difficulties to the stars.”
