A total of 72 young people from the Gaza Strip arrived in Rome this week to continue their academic studies at various universities across the city, an opportunity that opens up for them a hopeful path amidst the tragedy of war.
Their arrival in the Italian capital was made possible thanks to an initiative promoted by the Diocese of Rome, together with the Sant’Egidio Community and Sapienza University.
Four of the students were able to greet Pope Leo XIV on the morning of May 14, during his visit to La Sapienza public university, the largest in Europe and one of Italy’s most prestigious academic institutions.
In his address to the students, the pontiff warned that “what is happening in Ukraine, in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, in Lebanon, and in Iran illustrates the inhumane evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies, in a spiral of annihilation.”
At the conclusion of the event, the Holy Father took a moment to personally greet some of the students, among whom were Nada Jouda and Salem Abumustafa, who had recently arrived from the Gaza Strip.
Accommodations and scholarships for the future
The university has awarded scholarships to all Palestinian students admitted through the special program, which includes orientation services, healthcare, and psychological support.
Furthermore, the Diocese of Rome has committed to providing free accommodations to all these young people, who will remain in Italy until March 2029, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional year should they decide to complete their theses.
For its part, the Sant’Egidio Community is offering the students courses in Italian language and culture as part of its program to facilitate humanitarian corridors, an initiative promoted by the community for a decade, thanks to which thousands of refugees have been able to reach Italy safely.
Hope amidst the horrors of war
Nada, 19, shared her heartbreaking testimony with Vatican News. The war broke out two years ago, while she was in her final year of high school, and she has not returned to school since.
Following her fatherʼs death in 2023, she was forced to flee multiple times under extreme conditions, alongside her mother, who had suffered from leukemia, and her two younger sisters.
Despite leaving her family behind and her concern for her motherʼs health, Nada said with confidence that her stay in Rome will be an opportunity to improve her future and bear witness to the suffering endured by the people of Gaza.
Salem Abumustafa, 20, embarked on his journey to Rome, leaving behind a devastating reality. After his home was destroyed by bombs, his family was forced to live in a tent, without electricity, struggling to find food and water each day.
As he told Vatican News, resuming his studies in Rome represents an opportunity to restore hope to his family: “I came here to have a better future and to make my family proud of me,” he said.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
