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When Pope Francis convenes his virtual ``Building Bridges'' dialogue Thursday, he will be joined by six Loyola Marymount University students. The six participating LMU students are: Jesus ``Paco'' Estrada, a sophomore; Michael McCarthy, a junior; Leonardo Mendoza, a graduate student;Carolina Newton, a junior; Leslie Sepulveda, a senior; and Shayne Yano, a graduate student.
The event -- which will be streamed live at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 -- will highlight the contributions of Catholic university students who are migrants or children of migrants, and will focus on issues related to migration, displacement and education, according to LMU.
``We are honored that Loyola Marymount University students will be able to join the Holy Father in this honest sharing of experiences and hopes,'' said Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, professor of Theological Studies and LMU's faculty lead for the event. ``Pope Francis' commitment to justice resonates greatly with college and university students seeking to make their own positive impact on the world, and this event inspires us all to think of how best to build such a world.''
The LMU students have been meeting with their counterparts from the Western and Pacific region, and the participants themselves will choose their area's spokesperson to speak with the Pope. Each regional delegation will be present in the encounter via Zoom and have their own time with the Pope. The dialogue will provide participants with a rare opportunity to engage with the Holy Father and fellow college students from all over the Americas, and share their ideas and commitments to how working together their universities can support justice for those on the margins of society, according to LMU.
Members of the public who wish to view the event Thursday should check in at: www.luc.edu/popefrancis.