This article considers three fundamental perspectives for Catholic education, all mentioned in the encyclical letter "Populorum Progressio" of Paul VI, which have also been present in the teachings of successive pontiffs. The first perspective is the need to build a new civilization and the idea that "the world suffers due to lack of thought." The second perspective is the idea that "there is no true humanism but in the opening to the Absolute." The third perspective is the idea that at the origin of injustice there is a lack of fraternity. The second Vatican Council stated that "true education should promote the formation of the human person both in view of its ultimate purpose and for the good of different societies." This invitation of the Council Fathers is still very current and is directed especially to those who have positions of responsibility in the world of education. The article is adapted with minor modifications from an address at the closing session of the OIEC World Congress held in New York in June 2019.