Pope Francis stood before the United Nations on Sept. 25 to address a worldwide congregation that included prominent leaders, environmentalists, and Manhattan College students who listened to his historic speech on campus via a live telecast of the event.
Held in the Raymond Kelly ’63 Student Commons, Pastry and Pope Francis attracted Jaspers of all class years who enjoyed a spread of mini cannolis, carrot cake bites and coffee. This was just one event organized by Manhattan’s Campus Ministry and Social Action (CMSA) department as part of Sustainable September — a month-long campaign geared towards raising students’ awareness of social and environmental issues facing the world today.
Given Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change in June that urged countries to consider their responsibility to the Earth, Pastry and Pope Francis was an appropriate way to close out the month’s festivities, said CMSA director, Lois Harr.
In an interview with The Riverdale Press, Harr stressed the importance of engaging students with world news. “We need to make sure we raise our voice, particularly as a Catholic school. We’re aware of sustainability, of climate change. These are the issues of our time.”