Pope Leo XIV Urges Renewal of Catholic Education Amid Digital, Social Challenges

Pope Leo XIV has issued an apostolic letter titled "Drawing New Maps of Hope" on the 60th anniversary of the Vatican II declaration Gravissimum Educationis, emphasizing the need for Catholic education to evolve amid modern challenges such as hyper-digitalization, social insecurity, and crises in relationships. He calls for education that nurtures the whole person—mind, heart, and hands—prioritizing spiritual depth, responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence, and peace-building communication. The pope stresses that Catholic education must be accessible to all, warning that excluding the poor undermines the mission of Catholic schools. He underscores that education is a "task of love" and one of the highest expressions of Christian charity, urging educators to serve as role models and to collaborate with parents. Additionally, Pope Leo formally declared St. John Henry Newman as a patron of the Church’s educational mission and highlighted the resilience of Catholic education in the digital era. Overall, the letter calls for a renewal of Catholic education that balances tradition with innovation to meet the needs of today's youth and society.