DU Student Letters Read by Pope Leo XIV, Vatican Representative Confirms
Correspondence from a Vatican representative was received by Dominican University last month, confirming that Pope Leo XIV had read the letters from DU students that were hand-delivered to him last fall in Rome.
The student letters outlined personal experiences, impacts and concerns about current immigration policies affecting them, their families and their communities. They were given to Pope Leo by Andrew Mercado, director of University Ministry, during Mercado’s visit to Rome in October.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, ambassador to the Holy See, wrote to President Dr. Glena G. Temple on Jan. 26, noting receipt of the letters.
“I am pleased to inform you that his Holiness has read the letter and the testimonies of the students,” Cardinal Pierre wrote. “Pope Leo XIV assures his prayers and encourages commitment to work for the dignity of every person, since we are all children of God.”
Mercado, who focuses on culturally responsive ministry and creating supportive and inclusive spaces for Dominican students to engage in vocational discernment, was among 100 pilgrims from across the U.S. invited to Rome last fall by the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry. The group took part in the Jubilee of Migrants, an event dedicated to celebrating and supporting migrants across the world.
“For me, it was a moment of great joy to hand off those letters—those testimonies—to the pope, to share the realities we are seeing at Dominican and what students are experiencing in their neighborhoods,” Mercado said.