During the Meeting of Bishops of the Amazon, held from August 17 to 20 at the headquarters of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) in Bogotá, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, conveyed Pope Francis’ greetings and gratitude to the more than 90 prelates from the region.
In the letter, the Pontiff “cordially greets” the participants and thanks them for “the efforts made to promote the greater good of the Church in favor of the faithful of the beloved Amazonian territory.”
The message recalls the synodal experience and encourages the bishops to work in unity and collegiality. In this regard, it exhorts the bishops to keep in mind three pastoral dimensions: “The mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel to all people, the just treatment of the peoples who live there, and the care of our Common Home.”
Likewise, it emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in Amazonian evangelization: “It is necessary that Jesus Christ, in whom all things are recapitulated (cf. Eph 1:10), be proclaimed with clarity and immense charity among the inhabitants of the Amazon,” always offering “fresh and clean bread of the Good News and the heavenly food of the Eucharist.”
In addition, the message links faith with social justice: “Where the name of Christ is preached, injustice recedes proportionally,” it states, recalling that Christian fraternity dissolves all forms of exploitation.
The Church’s ecological commitment in the region is also highlighted: “The right and duty to care for the ‘house’ that God the Father has entrusted to us is evident,” calling for the avoidance of both the irresponsible destruction of natural goods and the idolatry of nature.
Pope Leo XIV imparts his apostolic blessing from his heart, extending it to all the faithful entrusted to the pastoral care of the Amazonian bishops.