## The Global Finish to Your MBA ### Leading with High Purpose The MBA International Capstone Experience is built around a central idea: l**eadership is not only about performance — it is about purpose**. As part of the 2026 capstone in Rome, students were challenged to think beyond traditional definitions of business education. Rather than focusing solely on technical knowledge or career advancement, the experience invited deeper reflection: ***For what high purpose am I called to lead?*** Throughout the week, students engaged with this question across a series of immersive experiences that connected history, global business, and ethical leadership. Walking through the ruins of ancient Rome, students examined how leadership decisions shaped the rise and fall of entire civilizations. Inside Vatican City, they encountered one of the world’s most enduring institutions, an example of leadership grounded in mission, tradition, and global influence. The experience also brought students face-to-face with modern challenges. Discussions on artificial intelligence, human dignity, and the future of work highlighted the responsibility leaders carry in shaping systems that serve not just efficiency, but the common good. Through seminars on Catholic social teaching and conversations with leaders from academic, diplomatic, and religious institutions, students explored how principles such as justice, prudence, fortitude, and temperance are not abstract ideals but practical foundations for effective leadership. This integration of reflection and real-world exposure is what defines the capstone as more than an international trip. It is a formative experience, one that challenges students to align their professional ambitions with a broader sense of responsibility. As the program concludes, students are left with a question that extends far beyond Rome: ***What kind of leader will you choose to become, and for what purpose will you lead?*** ![Engaging with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/2.png?h=3dbd9eac&itok=6MJoZqzF) Engaging with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, on the intersection of faith, diplomacy, and global responsibility ![room full of people in a roundtable](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/3.png?h=3dbd9eac&itok=45Bb1voM) Exploring the work of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, advancing human dignity and the common good. ![international event in a congress like building](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/4.png?h=7c295aee&itok=3YHpo7z_) At the Italian Senate, for the launch of Dean Abela’s book Superhabits, engaging with leaders across business, faith, and government on virtue and ethics in everyday life. ![Inside St. Peter’s Basilica ](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/5.png?h=6e754b88&itok=S3SekLL1) Inside St. Peter’s Basilica with Professor Andreas Widmer, former Swiss Guard and bodyguard to St. John Paul II, offering a unique perspective on leadership, history, and faith. ![Celebrating Mass in the Swiss Guard Chapel](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/7.png?h=3dbd9eac&itok=quAqCdzn) Celebrating Mass in the Swiss Guard Chapel, an opportunity for reflection at the heart of a leadership journey. ![group of people taking a picture near water](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/8.png?h=3dbd9eac&itok=XAMQj2bV) Building connections beyond the classroom. ![people networking at a dinner table](/sites/business.catholic.edu/files/styles/idfive_image_gallery/public/2026-05/10.png?h=b3660f0d&itok=uHgWru8E) Networking and connection beyond the classroom. Previous Next { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ImageGallery", "name": "Image Gallery", "mainEntity": { "@type": "ItemList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/2.png", "caption": "Engaging with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, on the intersection of faith, diplomacy, and global responsibility", "description": "Engaging with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See", "position": 1 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/3.png", "caption": "Exploring the work of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, advancing human dignity and the common good.", "description": "room full of people in a roundtable", "position": 2 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/4.png", "caption": "At the Italian Senate, for the launch of Dean Abela\u2019s book Superhabits, engaging with leaders across business, faith, and government on virtue and ethics in everyday life.", "description": "international event in a congress like building", "position": 3 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/5.png", "caption": "Inside St. Peter\u2019s Basilica with Professor Andreas Widmer, former Swiss Guard and bodyguard to St. John Paul II, offering a unique perspective on leadership, history, and faith.", "description": "Inside St. Peter\u2019s Basilica ", "position": 4 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/7.png", "caption": "Celebrating Mass in the Swiss Guard Chapel, an opportunity for reflection at the heart of a leadership journey.", "description": "Celebrating Mass in the Swiss Guard Chapel", "position": 5 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/8.png", "caption": "Building connections beyond the classroom.", "description": "group of people taking a picture near water", "position": 6 }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https:\/\/business.catholic.edu\/sites\/business.catholic.edu\/files\/2026-05\/10.png", "caption": "Networking and connection beyond the classroom.", "description": "people networking at a dinner table", "position": 7 } ] } }