Christian World | Pope Leo XIV told the Gregorian University's canon law faculty on Friday that canon law is an essential service to safeguarding communion in the Church

ACW | October 24, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV told members of the Pontifical Gregorian University's Faculty of Canon Law on Friday, October 23, 2026, that canon law performs "an essential service in safeguarding ecclesial communion," Vatican News reported.

According to Vatican News, the audience marked the 150th anniversary of the faculty's founding and included participants in an international congress. The Pope recalled the faculty's roots in the Jesuit tradition and the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

The Pope said canon law must aim at "the supernatural good of the individual faithful." He added that the pursuit of true justice "is never separated from truth and mercy."

He urged students to study "in light of the mystery of the Church" and to keep the faculty's motto, "quality over quantity." He said the faculty has a "special role in the service of the Petrine ministry."

Background: A day earlier, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic schools and universities to be a home for the young. The audiences come as the Pope recovers at the Vatican from chest surgery.

Why it matters: Canon law is the internal legal system of the Catholic Church. The Pope stressed that its goal is not only knowing the text of the law but forming people with an ecclesial sense of what is just.

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Source: Vatican News — Pope to students of canon law: Seek the supernatural good of persons

Photo: Vatican Media