Vatican City, Jan 12, 2005 / 22:00 pm
This morning at the Vatican, the Pope received the rector and a delegation from the University of Slesia in Katowice, Poland, as well as the mayor and the bishop of the city.
"In the classical concept," the Pope told them, "a university could not exist without its theological faculty, as it would have been incomplete.”
Today this has changed. It is clear, however, that the presence of the theological sciences among other areas of study within the university creates the possibility for a worthwhile exchange of views.”
'Fides et ratio' (faith and reason)”, he continued, “are found in the quest for knowledge. They use different tools and methods, but they enrich one another in discovering the multiple dimensions of the truth."
The Holy Father expressed his hope that the University of Slesia "may enjoy the abundant fruits of this collaboration."