Bethlehem University had the honor of welcoming Very Rev. Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land and Guardian of Mount Zion, on Thursday, 13 August 2026, marking his first official visit to the University since assuming the office of Custos in 2025. He was received by members of the University’s Executive Council, led by Brother Hernán Santos, FSC, PhD, President of Bethlehem University, along with a number of Student Ambassadors.

The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between Bethlehem University and the Custody of the Holy Land, a relationship rooted in a shared commitment to Catholic education, service, and the formation of future generations.

The visit began with a brief stop at the Chapel of the Divine Child, followed by a meeting with the University’s Executive Council. During the meeting, participants reflected on the complementary educational traditions of the Franciscan and Lasallian communities and explored opportunities to further strengthen collaboration in support of Christian education in the Holy Land.

Brother Hernán welcomed Fr. Ielpo on behalf of the Bethlehem University community, recognizing him not only as the successor to eight centuries of Franciscan guardianship of the Holy Places but also as a fellow educator whose distinguished leadership in Catholic education continues to inspire collaboration and dialogue.

Students’ Ambassadors consistently described their time at Bethlehem University as a turning point, an experience that reshaped not just their academic path, but their sense of who they are and what they’re capable of, as many spoke of arriving with uncertainty and leaving with clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of purpose. 

What stood out most in their accounts wasn’t only the quality of education, though that was mentioned repeatedly through rigorous coursework, dedicated faculty, and programs that prepared them for real careers and challenges; what made the experience truly transformative, students said, was the sense of belonging the university fostered, becoming a community that held them up during difficult moments, celebrated their achievements, and pushed them to grow beyond what they thought possible.

Several students highlighted the relationships they built with professors who took a genuine interest in their success, with classmates who became lifelong friends, and with mentors who offered guidance well beyond the classroom, along with the emotional and social support available to them, describing a campus culture where students felt seen, valued, and encouraged rather than just enrolled. For many, this combination of academic excellence and human connection is what set Bethlehem University apart: it wasn’t simply a place to earn a degree, but a place where they were nurtured as individuals, challenged to think critically, and given the tools and confidence to pursue their goals with resilience.

The discussions highlighted the deep educational ties between the two institutions. Graduates of the Custody’s Terra Sancta Schools account for approximately 10 per cent of Bethlehem University graduates and 7 per cent of the University’s current student body, reflecting a longstanding educational pathway between the Custody’s schools and the University. The Custody’s generous scholarship support and longstanding investments in the University’s development were also recognized as enduring expressions of its commitment to expanding access to higher education in the Holy Land.

The meeting also explored opportunities for future cooperation, including teacher training and professional development through Bethlehem University’s Faculty of Education, strengthened partnerships with Terra Sancta Schools and other Christian educational institutions, and joint initiatives in cultural heritage, research, and community engagement.

Bethlehem University expresses its sincere gratitude to Very Rev. Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, for his visit and looks forward to building upon this enduring partnership in the service of education, justice, and the common good in the Holy Land.