Blessing of the New Campus and the Catholic Universities Partnership Meeting

Rector Tanjić and Vice-Rector Ćurković Nimac in Krakow and Budapest

In mid-October, the Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia, Prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD, and the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, took part in a series of prominent international academic events in Poland and Hungary, further advancing CUC's active collaboration with European Catholic universities.

On Friday, October 16, 2026, Rector Tanjić attended the blessing of the new campus and the solemn inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow (UPJPII). The ceremony commenced with a Holy Mass at the Shrine of St. John Paul II, presided over by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, concelebrating with the Grand Chancellor of UPJPII, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Krakow, alongside gathered bishops and clergy. In his homily, Cardinal Ryś emphasized that the authentic search for truth within a university community leads toward freedom and communion, placing the human person ahead of technological challenges and the mere accumulation of information.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, in a formal procession composed of international and domestic rectors, Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça officially blessed and consecrated the new John Paul II University Campus. In his address delivered in the ceremonial hall of St. Queen Jadwiga, the Rector of UPJPII, Prof. Robert Tyrała, PhD, highlighted that the new campus embodies the realization of a longstanding vision for an academic home dedicated to St. John Paul II, underscoring the necessity of centering scholarship on the human person, human dignity, and interpersonal relationships. Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça delivered the inaugural lecture on the theme of the university as a "laboratory of peace for humanity," calling upon the academic community to foster a culture of nonviolence, dialogue, solidarity, and responsibility for the common good. During the visit to Krakow, a meeting was also held between the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (KRUP) and the Prefect of the Dicastery, focusing on the mission of Catholic higher education institutions in contemporary society and the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Annual Conference of the Catholic Universities Partnership (CUP) in Budapest

Following their stay in Poland, Rector Tanjić and Vice-Rector for International Relations Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, participated in the annual conference of the Catholic Universities Partnership (CUP), held on October 19 and 20 at Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPKE) in Budapest. This international network convenes Catholic universities from Central and Eastern Europe—including the Catholic University of Croatia, alongside institutions from Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Georgia, and Hungary—in partnership with the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame (USA).

This year's conference centered on the theme "Creation Care: Protecting the Created World and the Integrity of God's Creation." The opening session commenced with welcoming addresses by the Rector of Pázmány University, Prof. Géza Kuminetz, PhD; the Director of the Nanovic Institute, Prof. Clemens Sedmak; Vice-Rector for International Relations Krisztián Vincze; and the Grand Chancellor of PPKE, Msgr. János Székely, Bishop of Szombathely and President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference. The presentations stressed that the care for creation, in the spirit of Catholic social teaching, transcends conventional environmental frameworks to encompass ethical, legal, economic, and social questions that Catholic universities must address through interdisciplinarity and shared purpose.

The working sessions of the conference featured an examination of artificial intelligence applications in sustainable development, a dedicated student panel highlighting research initiatives, and the exchange of best practices across dioceses and local communities. Two students from the Catholic University of Croatia's University Department of Psychology, Franjo Zeko and Hrvoje Polić, contributed to the student session and participated in a panel discussion. Among other insights, they shared their experiences from this year's international summer school "Practicing Resilience, Preparing for Recovery" in Šibenik, which emerged through collaborative efforts across the CUP network.

During the concluding meeting of university leaders, Rector Tanjić, on behalf of the entire university community and on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of CUC's founding, presented commemorative University Plaques to the Rector of Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Prof. Géza Kuminetz, PhD; the founder of the Catholic Universities Partnership and longtime former director of the Nanovic Institute, Dr. James McAdams; and current director Dr. Clemens Sedmak, expressing deep gratitude for their enduring partnership and support.

The gathering concluded with discussions on future collaborative initiatives, joint research projects, and academic mobilities within the CUP network, followed by a Holy Mass at the University Church in Budapest.