Pope asks Scandinavian Catholics to persevere in evangelization

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — There is no greater work that Christians can perform than “transmitting the saving message of the Gospel to others,” Pope Francis said, especially among those on the margins of society.

Meeting a group of pilgrims from Scandinavia at the Vatican Feb. 3, the pope urged them to bring the Gospel to those on the peripheries of their home communities, to “think of those who may be isolated or lonely.”

Pope Francis, welcoming the pilgrims in the Paul VI Audience Hall, asked them to return home after visiting the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul “full of joyful enthusiasm for sharing the great gift that you have received,” namely, their faith.

“This task is entrusted to each of you, whatever your age, state in life or abilities,” he said. “Even those of you who are elderly, sick or struggling in some way have a noble vocation to bear witness to the compassionate and tender love of the father.”

Pope Francis prayed that the pilgrims from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland — in Rome as part of a pilgrimage organized by the Scandinavian bishops’ conference — would have their hope strengthened during the Holy Year, which has the motto “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The small but growing Catholic community in Scandinavia itself is a sign of hope, the pope said.

“We can thank almighty God that the seeds of faith planted and watered there by generations of persevering pastors and people is bearing fruit,” he said. “Nor should this surprise us, because God is always faithful to his promises.”

The pilgrims’ journey does not conclude in Rome, he said, because “a pilgrimage does not end but shifts its focus to the daily ‘pilgrimage of discipleship.'”

He asked them to cooperate with fellow Christians in their countries, particularly during challenging times marked by war when “our human family needs a unified witness to the reconciliation, healing and peace that can come only from God.”

Furthermore, the pope asked them to dialogue and work with the followers of other religions, many of whom are migrants. He recalled seeing many migrants in Sweden during his trip there in 2016 and noted that many emigrants from Latin America found refuge in Scandinavia after fleeing dictatorships.

Pope Francis also looked ahead to the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which is scheduled to close the Jubilee of Teenagers at the Vatican April 27. The future saint documented Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions on a website he designed before dying from leukemia at 15.

“This young saint of and for our times shows you, and all of us, how possible it is in today’s world for young people to follow Jesus, share his teachings with others, and so find the fullness of life in joy, freedom and holiness,” he said.

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