“European University Day” will be held on 13 March and this year will have as its theme “Christ: hope for Europe”, in preparation for the entry of ten new countries into the European Union. Promoted by the CCEE, COMECE and by the Office for university ministry of the vicariate of Rome, the Day will have as its culminating moment the prayer meeting of university students and staff with the Pope, which will take place in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican at 6.00 pm. The ten capitals of the countries that will enter the EU on 1st May will participate by satellite in the recitation of the rosary and the pilgrimage of the Cross (that will wind its way through the streets of Rome). Link-ups with Warsaw, Vilnius, Prague, Ljubljana, Nicosia, Valletta, Riga, Tallinn, Bratislava and Budapest will be established. The prayer vigil will be animated by choirs from Italy’s universities and music academies. Over 1800 choristers are expected to perform. The theme “Christ: hope for Europe” will have as its basic text the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Europa”, signed by the Pope on 28 June 2003.
