"Prayer and Works of Mercy are Inseparably Combined": Pope Francis

January 24, 2025: Pope Francis met with a delegation from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Thursday morning. During the meeting, the pontiff urged members of the delegation to help individuals and communities live the Jubilee Year with a spirit of prayer and compassion.

The Pope began his meeting by greeting the new director of the Network and its members. He then expressed his gratitude to them for their joyful reception of his most recent encyclical letter, Dilexit Nos. He mentioned that the letter can provide “substantial nourishment for fostering the spirituality” of the organization's apostolate.

The Holy Father went on to explain how the Network identifies Dilexit Nos as The Way of the Heart, describing it as a dual journey. “Firstly, it is the journey of Jesus, of his Sacred Heart, through the mystery of his incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection,” he said. Simultaneously, it is also “the journey of our own hearts, wounded by sin, which allow themselves to be conquered and transformed by love.”

Pope Francis added that on both these journeys, Mother Mary accompanies us as our guide. Reflecting on the Gospel of Luke, he noted how Mary kept Jesus’ words and actions, “reflecting on them in her heart. “Through her example, Mary teaches all of us to reflect in the same way, journeying with faith and hope,” he affirmed.

Looking ahead to the Jubilee for Communication, set to take place from January 24-26, Pope Francis called on the Worldwide Prayer Network to play a key role in helping people live the Jubilee with a spirit of prayer and compassion. “This Jubilee is a journey in which prayer and compassion, prayer and closeness to the least among us, prayer and works of mercy are inseparably combined,” he concluded. Through their actions, the Pope urged the Network to bring people closer to God and to each other, strengthening both individual and community faith.

The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Society of the Catholic Church that encourages Catholics to pray and take action as part of the church's universal mission. The Network provides monthly prayer intentions determined by the Pope.

Courtesy: Vatican News