Pope Francis Urges US Social Ministry Leaders to Be "Protagonists of History"

Washington, D.C., January 29, 2025: Pope Francis urged social ministry leaders in the United States to play an active role in shaping the future and promoting social justice. He made this appeal in his message to the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG), held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The annual event, organized by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’s Secretariat of Justice and Peace in collaboration with various Catholic organizations, took place this year under the theme "Missionaries of Hope, Advocates for Justice."

In his message, the Pope emphasized that the Church’s pastoral mission calls for “a ‘Church which goes forth,’ being able to sustain ‘with words and actions’ the hope with which so many families have always come to these blessed lands.” He also spoke of the Jubilee Year, describing it “as an opportunity to place the challenge of ‘organizing hope’ at the center of the pastoral mission.”

The Pope went on to express his hope that the CSMG “will become a sign of unity, to build bridges of reconciliation, inclusion, and fraternity." He expressed his confidence that members of CSMG will be able to take on this challenge because of the work they have been doing all these years. “Each one of you works very hard to recognize Jesus Christ in those most in need: the excluded, the discarded, the poor, the migrants,” he said.

Pope Francis praised the Catholic Church in the United States for focusing on concrete action rather than abstract ideas. He also applauded the leaders of the Catholic Social Ministry for their service, which has made “a social dialogue that listens and converses” with the poor possible.

He urged the leaders not to be afraid of becoming “protagonists of history,” warning that, “if we fail to promote social justice, we will not be able to guarantee the dignity of every person, of every person who comes into this world, of every hopeful young person who sets foot in the Americas.”

The Pope also addressed the younger attendees at the gathering, urging them to remain hopeful despite global challenges. “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope,” he said, emphasizing that young people have a pivotal role to play in putting an end to the global “piecemeal war” affecting the world.

Pope Francis concluded his message by reminding all the attendees to continue their journey as “pilgrims of hope,” following in the footsteps of their ancestors.

Courtesy: Vatican News