The photograph shows, from left: Dr. Wayne Tinsey (Global Ambassador), Jóse María del Corral (Scholas), Dr. Cristiana Ritchie-Bonomo (USA), Gerry Bennett (Ireland), Pope Francis, Albert Gomez (Africa), Brian Garrone (Australia),  Alberto Olivero (Argentina).

Gerry Bennett, the Chief Executive of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust in Ireland and Chairperson of the Edmund Rice Beyond Borders international leadership group, met last week with Pope Francis in his private apartment in Rome to discuss how school communities in Ireland and around the world can help to create a world that is more just, sustainable and peaceful.

Pope Francis established Scholas Occurentes, a network  of 400 educational communities reaching one million young people. Its mission is to create a culture of encounter, bring young people together and encourage student leadership. As part of its work it strives to achieve the UN Strategic Development Goals through education in art, sports and technology and to develop alliances with partners.

Gerry Bennett shared with Pope Francis the wonderful work that the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, the teachers, students and school leaders are doing in Ireland to make the world a more just, sustainable and peaceful place seeking to ensure a dignified life for every person. The Pope, in turn, invited the Edmund Rice schools to continue to commit to building a world that cares for each other and the planet.