A Message from Our President

On Easter Monday, our entrance into the Paschal season was unexpectedly marked by Pope Francis’ departure from this earthly life. It was a strange, yet fitting way to enter into the Paschal mystery which always challenges our human understanding of life and death. Yesterday, we experienced a different aspect of that Paschal mystery as we united ourselves to the whole Body of Christ in greeting and praying for our new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV!



Pope Leo XIV chose to open his Urbi et Orbi with the first words spoken by the Risen Christ: “Peace be with you all!” He went on to say, “I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to all the earth.” These words, which have taken the internet by storm in recent days, are reminiscent of the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of St. Matthew when Christ says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew, 28:19-20)

One could also say that the Pope’s opening words reveal a heart that is both Christ-centered and missionary. At Catholic International University, we hope to participate in the Holy Father’s Christ-centered missionary zeal, by sharing the joy from the Truth, as we strive to “communicate the mind and heart of the Church” to the whole world. As a pioneer institution in the realm of online education, and one that is well-known for fidelity to the magisterial teaching of the Church, Catholic International University is uniquely qualified to engage in the urgent work of evangelization, to reach all people, wherever they are at this particular moment in history. We are the disciples of today who must go forth with the Good News of the Risen Lord, confident in Christ’s promise to be present to us “always, to the end of the age.” Our academic offerings prepare our students to engage the world in diverse professions, and to do so with relevant technical and practical skills that are in demand in the market.

In his first address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV explained that he chose his name, “mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labour.” This mission for the Church, outlined by the Holy Father, is one in which Catholic International University is effectively already participating. Through our programs in Catholic Social Teaching, our online medium of asynchronous online education reaches students who might not otherwise have access to content and formation that is so needed in our changing times. Similarly, our graduate degree in the field of Emerging Technologies will allow students to grapple with the applications of artificial intelligence “that pose new challenges” from a specifically Catholic anthropological perspective while also providing relevant technical skills. These are just a few examples!

To put it succinctly, Catholic International University is on the move to reach the many who seek what we have to offer: degrees that are relevant, impactful, and firmly rooted in the social teachings of the Church. We work to serve our students, who in turn, through the professional preparation they receive, contribute to the betterment of society and share in the joy of the Truth.

This spring, students, alumni, and friends of Catholic International University participated in an extraordinary pilgrimage as part of THEO 599: Italy: Crossroads of Christendom. The experience was both spiritually enriching and academically profound—an unforgettable encounter with the living history of the Church.

Serving as chaplain for the group was Fr. Brian Ray, a priest currently studying at Catholic International and enrolled in the graduate course TH 510. Though eligible, Fr. Ray chose not to take the pilgrimage for academic credit, instead focusing on his pastoral role throughout the journey. 

What made this year’s pilgrimage even more memorable was its timing. The group was in Rome on the very day the new Pope was elected. After prayerfully processing through all four Holy Doors, the final basilica visit brought the pilgrims to St. Peter’s. Entering together around 10am, the group spent time in prayer and awe. Later that afternoon, while enjoying free time in Vatican City, many found themselves in St. Peter’s Square when white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel. Cheers erupted as the announcement was made and the new Pope stepped out onto the balcony to give his first apostolic blessing. It was an exhilarating moment of unity and joy shared by the Church around the world—and by this group of 53 pilgrims standing in the heart of it all.

Dr. Roberto Dandi Named the new

Chair of Business and Ecclesial Management

We’re thrilled to welcome Roberto Dandi, PhD as our new Chair of Business & Ecclesial Management!

Dr. Dandi brings a wealth of international experience, holding a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Università degli Studi del Molise and an MS in Business Administration from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome. He currently leads Church Management initiatives at the Markets, Culture & Ethics Research Center at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

His academic journey includes teaching and leadership roles at LUISS, research at the University of Illinois, and key contributions to LUISS Business School’s AACSB accreditation. His work bridges Church Management, Organizational Behavior, and Health Care Management.

A Warm Welcome

to Dr. Dandi

A Joyful Witness to Catholic Education: NCEA 2025

At Catholic International University, we believe deeply in the transformative power of education—especially when it is rooted in the heart of the Church and made accessible to those who need it most. That’s why we’re proud to announce our partnership with John Paul the Great College, located in mainland Belize.

Catholic International is proud to bring high-quality, faithfully Catholic education to students around the world. Our fully accredited, Newman Guide-approved programs are designed for real lives and real challenges. We are not just forming minds—we’re helping rebuild communities from the inside out.

Click The link to read more about how this ground-breaking partnership will raise up local leaders, increase professional skills, and foster long-term social change rooted in the dignity of the human person.