A Message of Joy and Hope from Pope Francis

In a heartfelt message to the participants of the second Synodal Assembly of the Churches in Italy, Pope Francis reminds us that Christian joy “does not arise from easy solutions to problems” but from the “certainty” that the Lord never leaves us alone. “I have experienced this myself during my hospital stay, and now in this time of recovery,” he shares.

Isabella H. de Carvalho – Vatican City

“Christian joy is never exclusive, but always inclusive, it is for everyone,” the Pope conveys to those gathered at the second Synodal Assembly of the Churches in Italy, meeting in Vatican City from March 31 to April 3. In a message dated March 28 but published today, Francis emphasizes that true joy “is not a superficial happiness, does not come from easy fixes to problems, does not avoid the cross, but springs from the certainty that the Lord never leaves us alone.” The Pontiff assures that he personally experienced this closeness of God during his “hospital stay, and now in this time of convalescence.”

READ THE FULL TEXT OF POPE FRANCIS’ MESSAGE HERE

A People on a Journey

“Christian joy is trust in God in every situation of life,” the Pope reiterates in the message, emphasizing that it is a “gift” that comes from the Lord. This joy “is found in the folds of everyday life and in sharing” and is characterized by “broad horizons” and “a welcoming style,” Francis writes. “The Church is not made up of majorities or minorities, but of the holy faithful people of God who walk in history enlightened by the Word and the Spirit.” Hence, a call to the participants to be “guided by the creative harmony generated by the Holy Spirit” in voting on the Propositions that are “crucial for the future of the Churches in Italy.”

Years of Discernment

The theme of joy is at the heart of the discussions among over a thousand participants, including bishops, delegates from Dioceses, and guests, gathered to vote on the Propositions titled “So that joy may be full.” These are the proposals and ideas that have emerged over these years of discernment and synodal journey, which began in 2021. At the end of the assembly, the Propositions will be handed over to the bishops of individual dioceses to formulate guidelines for the local Churches and the services of the Italian Episcopal Conference.