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Illustration; Stained Glass representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove, c. 1660
Pope Francis’ message to the 2nd synodal assembly of the churches in Italy [Paul VI Hall, 31 March – 3 April 2025]
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“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth;
for he will not speak on his own authority,
but whatever he hears he will speak,
and he will declare to you the things that are to come”.
John 16:13
Dear brothers and sisters!
Welcome back to Rome for the Second Synodal Assembly of the Churches in Italy.
This is the last stage of the pastoral and social journey that you have undertaken in the last five years.
So many initiatives, so many meetings, so many good practices: all come from the Spirit, who “leads the Church into the fullness of truth (John 16:13 above), unites her in communion and service, endows and guides her with various hierarchical and charismatic gifts, and embellishes her with his fruits” (Lumen Gentium, 4).
I come back to the title of the Propositions: “That joy may be complete”.
Christian joy is never exclusive, but always inclusive; it is for everyone.
It is fulfilled in the folds of daily life (see Evangelii gaudium, 5 in footnote below) and in sharing: it is a joy with broad horizons, accompanied by a welcoming style.
It is a gift from God – let us always remember this –; it is not an easy joy.
It does not arise from comfortable solutions to problem.,
It does not avoid the cross, but flows from the certainty that the Lord never leaves us alone.
I also experienced it in the hospital, and now in this time of convalescence. Christian joy is trust in God in every situation of life.
In these days you will have the opportunity to study and vote on the Propositions, the fruit of what has been done so far and a turning point for the future of the Churches in Italy.
Let yourselves be guided by the creative harmony that is generated by the Holy Spirit.
The Church is not made up of majorities or minorities, but of the holy faithful people of God who walk in history enlightened by the Word and the Spirit.
Go forward with joy and wisdom!
I bless you.
Please, continue to pray for me.
Thank you and good work!
Rome, Saint John Lateran, March 28, 2025
Footnote: Evangelii gaudium, 5.
The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice.
A few examples will suffice. “Rejoice!” is the angel’s greeting to Mary (Luke 1:28).
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth makes John leap for joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41).
In her song of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).
When Jesus began his ministry, John cries out: “For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled” (Luke 3:29).
Jesus himself “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21).
His message brings us joy: “I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy
may be complete” (John 15:11).
Our Christian joy drinks of the wellspring of his brimming heart.
He promises his disciples: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16:20).
He then goes on to say: “But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:22).
The disciples “rejoiced” (John 20:20) at the sight of the risen Christ.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the first Christians “ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46).
Wherever the disciples went, “there was great joy” (Acts 8:8); even amid persecution they continued to be “filled with joy” (13:52).
The newly baptized eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39), while Paul’s jailer “and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God” (Acts 16:34).
Why should we not also enter into this great stream of joy?
