At the Heart of the Church: Ave Maria University Welcomed in Private Audience with Pope Leo XIV
On November 26, 2025, Ave Maria University was honored to send a delegation to the Vatican to meet with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in a private audience held at the Apostolic Palace. The purpose of the audience was threefold: to offer a general introduction to Ave Maria and to the mission and apostolate of our institutions; to share how Ave Maria University might humbly place its resources at the service of the Holy See; and to present a proposed collaboration with the Dicastery for Evangelization that envisions Ave Maria University as a model institution for welcoming priests from Africa to engage in programs of inculturation, ongoing formation, and higher education—all in full communion with the Universal Church and subject to the approval of the local Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice in Florida.
Delegation Members
The delegation from Ave Maria University included:
- Mr. Thomas S. Monaghan, Founder and Chancellor of Ave Maria University
- Mr. James A. Bock, J.D., J.C.L., General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Ave Maria University and a 2012 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law
- Mr. Thomas Pinto, Student Representative
- Miss Hope Mosher, Student Representative
- Mr. Brian Scarnecchia, M.Div., J.D., Professor of Law, Ave Maria School of Law
- Mrs. Ligia De Jesus Castaldi, LL.M., Professor of Law, Ave Maria School of Law
The delegation was accompanied by select family members to underscore our commitment to family and human formation.
Highlights of the Audience
Mr. Monaghan presented the Holy Father with an overview of the history of Ave Maria and his mission to honor Our Lady through the University, town, and law school. He also repeated our invitation to the Holy Father to come and visit Ave Maria University.
Our student representatives presented an Ave Maria ball cap and tennis athletic shirt, which the Holy Father joyfully received.
The Holy Father also graciously traded his zucchetto (white skullcap) with one provided by the University and obtained from the famous papal tailor in Rome, Gammarelli's. His zucchetto will be displayed on campus for our community to view.
Finally, the Holy Father specifically sent his greetings to everyone at Ave Maria!