Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the course of the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

 

Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Dear General Secretaries and National Directors,

It is with joy and thanksgiving that I greet all of you, gathered in Rome this year for your annual General Assembly, a year truly rich in missionary milestones.  This year marks the hundredth anniversary of establishing, at the request of the  Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith , the penultimate Sunday of October as World Mission Sunday by my predecessor  Pope Pius XI .  For one hundred years, this day has been set apart for prayer, reflection and contributing to the Church’s mission of evangelization, especially in areas where the proclamation of the Gospel is only just beginning and where the Church is still young. On this day, every Catholic community is invited to pray and offer spiritual and material sacrifices for the missionary efforts in areas of first evangelization and for the support of young churches. I am happy to express my gratitude to all of you and to everyone who works with you throughout the world, for all of your efforts, great and small, in promoting World Mission Day in every ecclesiastical circumscription in the universal communion of the Church.

If I might add, one of the particular services of World Mission Sunday is to remind people in the older churches, if you will in the established churches, how important it is that they too join in the missionary spirit of the whole Church.

Thanks to the funds raised on World Mission Sunday,  the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith  is able to provide necessary help to the over 1,130 ecclesiastical circumscriptions that depend on the  Dicastery for Evangelization , Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, to help them establish necessary ecclesiastical infrastructures and support diverse missionary initiatives. They also support the administration of five colleges in Rome for the ongoing formation of priests, and consecrated women and men, who come to the eternal city for studies and become precious resources for their local Churches to which they return after completing their studies. These and many more missionary initiatives are possible thanks to the generosity of the faithful on World Mission Sunday.

This year also marks the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Missionary Union by Blessed Paolo Manna, declared Pontifical by Pope Pius XII and described by  Saint Paul VI  as the “soul” of the other  Pontifical Mission Societies . I encourage all to participate in its mission of fostering among all the baptized an ever more fervent missionary spirituality and a deeper commitment to the Church’s universal mission of evangelization in this new missionary age.

It is also providential that this year, on 24 September, in Saint Louis Missouri, a renowned National Director of the  Pontifical Mission Societies  in the United States of America, the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, will be beatified. Archbishop Sheen was a light of faith, hope, and love that shone through the radio and television media for decades. I myself am a witness of his evangelization when I was growing up. His broadcasts touched millions with the hope of the Gospel and his initiatives and efforts resulted in enormous spiritual and material aid to the Churches in areas of first evangelization. May our new Blessed be an example for all of the National and Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies throughout the world.

In a world increasingly marked by division, war and conflict among nations and peoples, the four  Pontifical Mission Societies , entrusted to the  Dicastery for Evangelization , the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, render an invaluable service to the Church’s mission of proclaiming Christ, the Prince of Peace and the incarnate revelation of Divine Love for humanity. In this regard, the  Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood  carries out a particularly precious mission by bringing the light of faith and the consolation of Christian charity to children throughout the world, especially in regions afflicted by hatred and violence. Equally important is the  Pontifical Mission Society of Saint Peter the Apostle , which promotes and sustains the formation of indigenous clergy and consecrated religious in territories of first evangelization. In many places, without the assistance of this Society, seminarians and novices would lack the necessary means for their human, spiritual and pastoral formation.

The theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday -  One in Christ, united in mission  - highlights the unity of believers and marks the 100th anniversary of this global celebration. It invites all of the members of the Church to a deeper communion in Christ and to a fuller unity in his divine mission of love. It reflects the profound desire of the Lord expressed in his prayer to the Father before his Passion (cf.  Jn  17:20, 21, 26). These aspects, expressed in this year’s theme, call for a missionary renewal in the Church in the years ahead. I therefore encourage you to keep this teaching in mind, to live an authentic spirituality of missionary unity and communion centered on Christ, and to promote it through your activities among the faithful.

My dear brothers and sisters,  the Second Vatican Council  insisted that the “Church on earth is by her very nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, it has her origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit” ( Ad Gentes , 2). Mindful of this, I invite you all to appreciate the urgency of embracing an ongoing missionary conversion and to look together for ways of being a missionary Church for the healing of our world, so fraught with tensions, conflicts and wars. In this important task, the work of the  the Pontifical Mission Societies  remains essential. Let us therefore continue our missionary journey with joy and renewed zeal. In all that we do for the work of evangelization, may we always place Jesus Christ at the center, embracing the beautiful Gospel principle expressed by John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease” ( Jn 3:30).

Entrusting all of you, your collaborators, benefactors and all who share in this vital missionary work to the maternal intercession of the Mother of God, Mary - Queen of Missions - and that of all the missionary saints, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you.

And let us pray together as Jesus taught us: “Our Father…

This morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Italian Association of Catholic Guides and Scouts of Europe.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

“If God wills, forever!” This is the motto you have chosen for the fiftieth anniversary of your Association. As I have the pleasure of meeting you just a few days after the Solemnity of Pentecost, which literally means “the fiftieth”, I hope that this joyful anniversary will be for you like a new Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit descend upon each of you, as he did upon the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room (cf. Acts 2:1). The Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the gift of the Spirit enlivens life, opens us to mission and creates understanding between different languages (cf. Acts 2:4): indeed, the gift of the Risen Christ helps us to find ever new ways of bearing witness to the beauty of the faith. This proclamation of salvation is full of hope and encourages us to act rightly in every choice we make in life, in all our works.

Over the past fifty years, the Italian Association of Catholic Guides and Scouts of Europe has consolidated a specific educational approach to expressing the witness of faith. Using the tools devised according to Baden-Powell’s vision, you accompany boys and girls to an encounter with Jesus, the Master of the good life, the faithful Friend, the just and strong Guide on our journey.

Life in the open air and contact with nature are indispensable dimensions of your activity, which speak of God’s goodness through the traces left by the Creator Himself in creation.

You wisely combine the book of nature with the Word of God, which preserves the meaning of history and sustains us when life’s path puts us to the test. As from a spring of fresh water, I invite you to draw from the Holy Scriptures to enlighten and sustain your experiences of human and spiritual growth, both personally and within the community. As Pope Francis said, “I invite you to keep [the Gospel] with you always, as your navigator – the Gospel is the true navigator for the journey of life – and to open it each day, because the Gospel is the map for life” ( Address to the International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe , 3 August 2019).

Dear Scout Leaders, the Gospel is far more than a book: it is the very person of Christ, good news for a humanity that is confused, deluded and disillusioned by so many evils. He quenches our thirst for justice and truth and instils in us the courage to persevere in doing good and to put ourselves at the service of our neighbours, personally. You bear witness to this commitment for the young people entrusted to your care: the consistency of your lives and the maturity of your choices are, in their eyes, a very important example that helps them to grow. Together with them, therefore, live out the beauty of the faith in daily actions and shared prayer, in the Sacraments and in the discernment of each person’s vocation: respond generously to Christ’s call, which invites you to climb to the summit, to set sail, to walk together along the path of virtue.

The priests who are your Assistants are a guarantee of the bond between the Church and your Association: they live their priestly ministry in the service of young people and your leadership, sharing with you the responsibility for the educational action and spiritual growth of the young.

The Scout method puts the person at the centre, caring for all aspects of their relationships and human richness. Your Association’s pedagogical choice is expressed, in this regard, in educating in separate sections for boys and girls, so as to devote specific attention to each group. Exploring in this way the fundamental characteristics of being a woman and being a man is a preparatory step towards an authentic and conscious encounter with the other, which can foster mutual growth. The formation of good Christians and good citizens is the aim of the Scout method, achieved through the educational partnership between leaders and each girl and boy at the various stages of their journey.

In these complex historic times, I also appreciate your decision, as an association, to foster a sense of European identity – not on a political level, but a cultural one – by renewing your commitment to building a Europe of peoples, not merely of business, united by the highest values of Christian humanism.

To this end, service is the element that unifies all the components of Baden-Powell’s method: it is at the heart of his educational philosophy. To serve means placing one’s skills and time at the disposal of others, entirely freely, without expecting anything in return. Through service, altruism, solidarity, care for others and a sense of social responsibility are developed. Lived in faith, service frees us from the tendency to be self-centred, indifferent and closed off, opening us up to the experience of community and a sense of responsibility: from small things done well to mutual care. The adventure of Scouting helps us discover how our humanity is illuminated and engaged by the work of God, the true educator of us all.

Dear Scouts and dear Guides, whilst I encourage you to continue the activities of your Association with joy and commitment, I pray that the Holy Spirit may multiply His gifts amongst you, so that you may know how to speak and spread the language of charity, welcome and peace. I entrust you to the maternal guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing upon all of you and your loved ones.

Resignation of bishop of Porto Nacional, Brazil

Resignation and succession of bishop of Nkayi, Republic of the Congo

 

Resignation of bishop of Porto Nacional, Brazil

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Porto Nacional, Brazil, presented by Bishop José Moreira da Silva.

 

Resignation and succession of bishop of Nkayi, Republic of the Congo

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Nkayi, Republic of the Congo, presented by Bishop Daniel Mizonzo.

He is succeeded by Bishop François Halyday Mbouangui, until now coadjutor bishop of the same diocese.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Archbishop Simón Bolívar Sánchez Carrión, titular of Rosella, apostolic nuncio in Honduras;

- Ms. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, Spain;

- Archbishop Mambé Jean-Sylvain Emien, titular of Potenza Picena, apostolic nuncio in Mali and in Guinea;

- Archbishop George George Panamthundil, titular of Floriana, apostolic nuncio in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan;

- Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, titular of Skálholt, apostolic nuncio in Cuba;

- His Excellency Mr. Christopher John Trott, ambassador of Great Britain, on his farewell visit;

- Participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Today, the Pope will receive in audience:

- Members of the Italian Association of Catholic Guides and Scouts of Europe.

The following is the text of the Video Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to the participants in the 16 th National Symposium of Families, promoted by the Life and Family Commission of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (NCBB), taking place today in Aparecida, Brazil:

 

Video Message of the Holy Father

Dear families,

It is with great joy that I address this message to all those taking part in this National Symposium, organized by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil at the Casa da Mãe Aparecida , a place of special meaning for all Brazilians and indeed for Catholics throughout the world. I feel a deep connection with you and with the work you are carrying out together, through each person’s prayer and reflection, on a subject of such great importance: the family.

The Church teaches that the family is the “primary and essential cell of society” (Pius XII, Summi pontificatus , 47) and, for this reason, must be protected and promoted. Called to proclaim God’s love in today’s world, this unique community of persons formed by a man and a woman, so united in love that they become “one flesh” ( Gen 2:24), only fully understands its identity when it looks to the Lord Jesus and the sacrifice He made of Himself on the cross for the sake of His Bride, the Church (cf. Eph 5:21–33; Saint John Paul II, Familiaris consortio , 13). It is in Christ that we learn to see the image of God in others, loving our neighbour as He loved us (cf. Jn 13:34).

However, we must look upon families with realism and compassion, aware of the countless difficulties that afflict them—that is, their fragilities, crises, anxieties and so many other situations of suffering. All this requires of the Church and pastoral workers a merciful approach and a prudent and mature discernment (cf. Francis, Amoris laetitia , Chapter VIII).

Let us therefore look to the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The small yet fundamental virtues of the home in which Jesus was born and grew up, learning from Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary, must serve as an inspiration and model for all our homes and be the source from which true peace is sought. Indeed, as Benedict XVI pointed out, the family plays a primary and indispensable role as a “teacher of peace” ( Message for the World Day of Peace , 1 January 2008, 3).

In view of this, dear brothers and sisters, as a pledge of the most abundant heavenly gifts and through the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida, Queen and Patroness of Brazil, I send my blessing to the Bishops, to the participants in this Symposium and to all families.

God bless you!