Pope Urges French Missionaries to Share the Gospel

Vatican City, January 11, 2025: Pope Francis on Friday met with a delegation of fifty coordinators from the French missionary forum, Congrès Mission, in the Consistory Hall at the Vatican. During the meeting, the Holy Father encouraged the coordinators to share the joy of the Gospel with courage and creativity to restore hope in a broken world. This meeting comes as Congrès Mission prepares for its annual event in Bercy this November, focused on revitalizing evangelization in France's increasingly secularized society.

The pontiff praised Congrès Mission’s “faithful commitment” to the service of the Gospel, highlighting that their efforts offer much-needed light and hope in a world that so badly needs it. He emphasized the inseparable link between joy, hope, and mission, reminding the group that true joy arises from a personal encounter with Christ and inspires service to others.

While highlighting that Congrès Mission’s annual gathering to be held in Bercy will be held during the Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis said that joy is inseparable from hope and mission. “True joy”, he explained, “stems from a personal encounter with Christ and leads us toward others. Being pilgrims means walking together in the Church and courageously reaching out to bring hope to others, offering a Gospel-rooted word that consoles and inspires new paths”.

Acknowledging the challenges hope faces in a world marked by conflict, injustice, and individualism, the Pope emphasized that the Christian assurance, “Christ is our hope,” is “a gift to be shared” and “a light to be passed on.” He urged the missionaries to engage with the world courageously, stepping beyond familiar patterns to bring hope to those in need. “At times, this might mean stepping out of our usual schemes and even creating some confusion,” he said, underscoring that the Holy Spirit leads believers toward creative and bold outreach.

Addressing the role of young people, the Pope called them “the first pilgrims of hope” and urged Congrès Mission to empower youth to grow in faith and take on the mantle of missionary discipleship. He also asked them to encourage the youth to dream boldly of a more fraternal world and “guide them to be agents of hope in their families, schools, and workplaces".

The Pope also highlighted the importance of communion within the Church, describing it as a powerful witness of love that identifies Christians as disciples of Christ. He urged the group to support one another and celebrate the fruits of their collective efforts. “Take care of one another, support each other in your efforts, and rejoice together in the fruits the Spirit brings forth through your commitment,” he said

Concluding his remarks, the Pope assured his prayers for the group’s upcoming gathering, expressing hope that the event will bring joy, conversion, and renewal for the Church in France.

Courtesy: Vatican News