Students from Strathmore University joined others from around the world at the UNIV Congress held in Rome. The congress is usually held over Holy Week – Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

The students attended the Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by the Holy Father at St. Peter’s Square. They also had an audience with the Pope on 31st of March in the same venue.

The students also met the Prelate of Opus Dei who is also the Chancellor of the University Bishop Javier Echevarria who lives in Rome.

Bishop Echevarria encouraged the students to live well the spirit of service and echoed the Pope’s message to all Christians to live well the Christian vocation. The Pope also asked the UNIV congress attendees to keep praying for those suffering around the world and especially Africa.

The students made a presentation at the congress under the title Ethics in Advertisement that argued for decency and positive image in the advertising industry both print and TV. The theme of this year’s meeting was 'Can Christianity Inspire a Global Culture?'

Apart from the spiritual nourishment, the Rome has a rich cultural heritage dating back to pre-Christian days. It is also pre-Emperor Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. The whole city is like a museum.

The theme for UNIV 2011 is: 'Living Freedom Decisively'.