Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Puerto Rico (Agenzia Fides) - "As on the day of Pentecost" the Apostles were "filled with the Holy Spirit" and sent by the Lord "to the ends of the earth", so today "we too, having received the same Spirit, have become heralds of the Gospel with the Spirit". This is what Pope Francis wrote in a letter written in Latin to Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Archbishop Emeritus of Caracas, who is participating as his Special Envoy in the celebrations of the VI American Missionary Congress (CAM6), currently underway in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, until Sunday, November 24.
In the letter, the Pope strongly reiterates that only "with the Spirit" can one be an evangelizer: "We open ourselves to the power of the same Spirit, without fear, going out of ourselves," with the aim of "proclaiming the newness of the Gospel in the life of the holy people of God in which we live," with "freedom of speech and towards all our brothers and sisters," "even when it meets with opposition."
"We hope that the fruits of these holy celebrations will lead the faithful in America to nurture an authentic Christian spirit and to dedicate all their strength to the work of evangelization, strengthened by the consolation of the Holy Spirit," the Pope said. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 21/11/2024)
