“I thought I got to this course dressed in black too, though …”. It is the joke, ironic and arm, pronounced by Leo XIVduring the hearing granted in the new classroom of the Synod to the bishops ordered in the last year. “Perhaps some of you are still saying: why did I have been chosen?” Said the Pope as Sir wrote, the CEI agency. “At least I ask me,” He added good -naturedly.
The pontiff on Thursday morning met 192 Bishops from five continents Upon closed doors in the New Hall of the Synod, in the Vatican, at the end of a training course aimed at those who take the episcopal ministry. These are Presuli who have been engaged in these courses since 3 September under the guidance of the Dicastery for the evangelization and the Dicastery for the bishops, Guided by Prevost before it was elected Pope on May 8 in Conclave.
Leone therefore requested a humble service, of proximity and also mentioned its predecessor, Pope Francis: the proximity to the people is realized “by means of our open hands that caress and console; of our words, pronounced to grease the world of Gospel and not of ourselves ». Then he also remarked that the service must translate into a style of apostolate, “In the various forms of the care and the pastoral government, in the ANELIITO of the announcement, in so different and creative ways according to the concrete situations that you will face. The gift you have received is not for yourself, but to serve the cause of the Gospel. You have been chosen and called to be sent, as apostles of the Lord and as servants of faith. The bishop is a servant, the bishop is called to serve the faith of the people. It is something that has to do with our identity. The service is not a feature – the pontiff warned – or a way of playing the role. On the contrary, to those whom Jesus calls as disciples and announcers of the Gospel, in particular to the twelve, inner freedom, the poverty of spirit and the availability to the service that arises from love, to embody the same choice of Jesus is required “.
Regarding the ordination of the bishop, Pope Leo mentioned Sant’Agostino: “First of all, those who preside the people must understand that they are a servant of many”.
Leone explained that “the crisis of faith and its transmission, together with the labors that concern belonging and ecclesial practice, invite us to find the passion and courage for a new announcement of the Gospel. At the same time, several people who seem to be far from faith, often return to knock on the doors of the Church or open up to a new search for spirituality, which sometimes does not find adequate languages and forms in usual pastoral proposals». And he added: “And we must not forget the other challenges, of a more cultural and social nature, which concern us all and who, especially, affect some territories: the drama of war and violence, the sufferings of the poor, the aspiration of many to a more fraternal and solidarity world, the ethical challenges that interpose us on the value of life and freedom, and the list would certainly be longer”.
