100th anniversary of Sophia University in Tokyo

November 04, 2013

Pope Francis sent Cardinal Raffaele Farina as his special envoy to the November 1 celebration of the first centenary of Sophia University in Tokyo. Cardinal Farina, now 80, served as Librarian of the Vatican Library and Archivist of the Vatican Secret Archives from 2007 to 2012.

The Jesuit university, founded at the behest of Pope St. Pius X, has become as one of Japan’s leading universities. In his Latin-language letter for the occasion, Pope Francis noted that St. Francis Xavier spread the Gospel in Japan and that the founders of the university trod in his footsteps.

According to the university, 4,200 people attended the centenary celebration, including Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

 

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Further information:

• Letter to Card. Raffaele Farina, S.D.B., Special Envoy to the celebrations for the first centenary of the "Sophia" University of Tokyo [1st November 2013]
• Cardinal Raffaele Farina, Special Envoy To First Centenary Of Sophia University, Tokyo (VIS)
• The Ceremony of Sophia University 100th Anniversary was held (Sophia University)