Jakarta – Pope Leo XIV has urged the Churches of Asia to recognize that ecclesial communion “finds its source in the mystery of Christ” and encouraged them to “continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches.” Pope Leo XIV delivered simple and direct exhortations in a video message to the bishops and other delegates participating in the XII Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences , gathered in Jakarta since Monday, July 20, “to discuss,” as the Pontiff himself emphasized, “the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia.”
In the message, delivered in a video address shown on the afternoon of Saturday, July 25 at the Vanda Room of Hotel Mulia, the Pope recalled that the theme chosen for their Assembly comes from Jesus telling Nathanael in the Gospel of John: “You will see greater things than these.”
In calling Philip and Nathanael to follow him and become his disciples, the Pope said that “the Lord alludes to himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity.”
Addressing the Assembly, the Bishop of Rome continued: “As His disciples today, we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another.” Quoting the Encyclical Magnifica humanitas, he stressed that Christian solidarity “finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.” For this reason, he added, “I would like to encourage you to continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity grounded in the charity that flows from the gift of our Lord in the Eucharist.”
Pope Leo expressed the hope that “the bonds of communion within and between the local Churches will be strengthened and become an ever greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries, which in turn will help you be bridge-builders together throughout Asia.”
Concluding his video message, and before imparting his blessing, the Pope entrusted the Assembly participants and their deliberations “to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,” invoking upon them “the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude.”
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