Pope Francis and the president of UCAM held a meeting at Santa Marta, during which the Holy Father showed his interest towards the development of the University and his satisfaction for the teaching, research and evangelising work carried out there. Likewise, he explained to José Luis Mendoza the meaning and the value of the honour he had just awarded him, to recognise his trajectory at the service of the Church and his collaboration with him and, prior to that, with Benedict XVI and John Paul II. Besides, he gave his blessing to his family, the entire university community of UCAM and its athletes.

The day before, José Luis Mendoza held a meeting with Cardinal Edgar Robinson Peña, Substitute at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, who, in the presence of Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, announced the awarding of both the Papal Cross and the corresponding title. José Luis Mendoza was accompanied in both meetings by his wife, María Dolores García, and his daughter, María. 

Additionally, during his stay in Rome, the president of UCAM held meetings with Giuseppe Versaldi, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, and Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.