Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Astana (Agenzia Fides) - "Although we are only a small flock, we feel like living members of the Body of Christ and are ready to participate with zeal in the mission of evangelization entrusted to us by the Lord: We want to fish with Peter!", wrote the Catholic bishops of Central Asia in a message to Pope Leo XIV shortly before the Roman Cathedra of the Bishop of Rome was taken possession of on May 25 in the Lateran Basilica (see Fides, 25/5/2025).
In the letter (dated May 24, but made public only now), signed by Bishops José Luis Mumbiela Sierra, President of the Central Asian Bishops' Conference, Jerzy Maculewicz, Vice-President, and Evgeny Zinkovsky, Secretary General, the bishops "from the heart of Central Asia" assure their "constant prayers and unwavering fidelity" to the office of the Successor of Peter: "Trusting in the Love of God, we will fearlessly sow the precious and fruitful seeds of the faith of our Holy Mother Church on the paths of our mission, spreading hope and mercy to all the streets of this world that so desperately need God's consolation."
And finally, the invitation to visit these countries, a crossroads of peoples and cultures: "The presence of the Popes has left an indelible mark on the memory of our peoples. The visits of Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Mongolia are still fresh in our memory. They strengthened our faith and showed the world the universal character of the Church. Therefore, we cordially invite you to visit us during your Pontificate. It would be a great honor and a blessing for our communities to welcome you and show you the living witness of the Catholic faith in this part of the world." (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/6/2025)
