Pope to Church in Asia: United in charity build bridges throughout the continent

[ Read Also ] By Deborah Castellano Lubov "As you gather to discuss the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia, I assure you of my spiritual closeness, praying that the Holy Spirit will inspire and guide your time together." Pope Leo XIV expressed this in the video message he sent on Saturday to the Bishops and members gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), taking place from July 20 to 26. Jesus is the source of our communion In the message, the Pope recalled that the theme chosen for their Assembly comes from Jesus telling Nathanael: “You will see greater things” (Jn 1:50), noting, that "in calling Philip and Nathanael to follow Him and become His disciples, our Lord alludes to Himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity (cf. Jn 1:51)." "As His disciples today," Pope Leo went on to underscore, "we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another." The Holy Father reminded the Assembly participants that in his Encyclical Magnifica humanitas, on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence, he wrote that "Christian solidarity finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist." An ever greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries "For this reason," Pope Leo urged, "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." "In this way," he exhorted, "it is my 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." Finally, the Holy Father concluded by commending all gathered, and their deliberations, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, before invoking upon them the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude. "And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen."