Pope Francis Calls for Deeper Study of Church History to Strengthen Faith

Vatican city, November 22, 2024: Pope Francis has urged theologians to delve into Church history to uncover the full scope of the Holy Spirit’s actions, as highlighted in his letter, Renewal of the Study of Church History, released on Thursday. Addressing priests and the broader faithful, the Pope emphasized how understanding the Church's past preserves memory, shapes the future and helps interpret contemporary realities in the light of faith.

In his reflection, the Pope aligned his message with Saint Philip Neri’s call for historical awareness, warning that ignorance of history risks eroding the faith. "Come at least once a month to teach Church history to our students, because they no longer know it. And if they do not know history, they will eventually no longer know the faith." the saint once stated.

Pope Francis echoes Pope Leo XIII’s encouragement for an unprejudiced examination of Church history, underscoring that "the Church does not need lies but only the truth." By confronting its past, including dark and painful chapters, the Church can humbly address today's wounds and challenges.

This renewed focus on history is part of the Pope’s broader effort to deepen priestly formation and engage the faithful in resisting oversimplified narratives and falsehoods prevalent in modern discourse. By connecting faith to historical events, particularly the life, death and resurrection of Christ, Pope Francis reaffirms the Church’s mission as a concrete, lived relationship with God rather than an abstract philosophy.

Courtesy: Vatican News