The Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) joins with gratitude in celebrating the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, a time marked by closeness to the people, a resolute commitment to synodality, and a prophetic dedication to the defense of life and the care of our Common Home.
From the beginning of his Petrine ministry, the Holy Father has shown a deep sensitivity to the challenges facing the Amazon, continuing the path opened by Pope Francis and the pastoral vision of the apostolic exhortation *Querida Amazonía*. His words and actions have confirmed that the Amazon holds a central place in the Church’s mission and in the future of humanity.
A Pope Close to the Mission of CEAMA
During this first year of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has on various occasions expressed his spiritual and pastoral closeness to the mission of CEAMA, encouraging the local Churches to continue building a Church with an Amazonian, Samaritan, intercultural, and synodal face.
In his message addressed to the Meeting of Amazonian Bishops, the Pontiff emphasized the importance of proclaiming the Gospel with clarity and closeness to the Amazonian peoples:
“It is essential that Jesus Christ, in whom all things are recapitulated, be proclaimed with clarity and immense charity among the inhabitants of the Amazon.”
Likewise, he urged pastors and pastoral workers to walk alongside the communities, strengthening unity and collegiality among the local Churches, inspired by the listening and participation promoted during the Synod for the Amazon.
The 6th General Assembly of CEAMA: A Church Walking in Unity
Another significant moment of this closeness was the video message sent by Pope Leo XIV to the 6th General Assembly of CEAMA, where he reaffirmed the value of synodality as a permanent style of the Church in the Amazon.
The Holy Father recalled that inculturation “is a difficult but necessary path,” and encouraged the participants to accept “with courage the newness of the Spirit, who is always capable of creating something new with the inexhaustible treasure of Jesus Christ.”
In that context, he invited them to continue strengthening the identity of missionary disciples in the Amazon:
“I invite you, therefore, to work with the confidence of a faith rooted in Christ (…) because it is precisely that divine-human love of Jesus that transforms us into new men and women.”
He also highlighted the witness of so many men and women who have given their lives for the Amazonian mission:
“Continue to sow in the furrow that has been watered even with the blood of so many men and women who have gone before you.”
Audience with the Presidency of CEAMA
One of the most significant moments of this first year of the pontificate was the audience granted by Pope Leo XIV to the Presidency of CEAMA at the Vatican on October 29.
In an atmosphere of deep ecclesial communion and fraternal joy, the delegation shared with the Holy Father the journey CEAMA has undertaken since its founding, the progress made in its synodal pastoral horizons, and the pastoral challenges facing the mission in the heart of the Amazon.
Cardinal Pedro Barreto recalled that CEAMA was born as a fruit of the Synod for the Amazon and was officially established in 2020 as a concrete expression of synodality in the region.
“CEAMA reflects the living communion among the peoples, consecrated life, bishops, laypeople, priests, and the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. It is a sign that the Synod continues to move forward.”
During the meeting, the Pope listened attentively to the testimonies of the Amazonian representatives and highlighted the richness of the experience of a Church that is learning to “walk together” through discernment, participation, and service.
A Pope with an Amazonian Heart
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has closely followed the journey of the Church in the Amazon, accompanying with pastoral closeness and hope the processes of synodality, evangelization, and inculturation experienced by the communities of the Amazon region.
The Holy Father has reaffirmed on various occasions his closeness to the Amazonian peoples and his admiration for the simple, communal, and incarnate faith of the local communities.
“Thank you for nurturing that heart and for reminding us that synodality is learned from the margins, where the Spirit speaks with power.”
Likewise, he has encouraged the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) to continue being a prophetic voice in the face of the social, ecological, and spiritual challenges facing the region, strengthening networks of hope, fraternity, and care for life.
Along this path, Pope Leo XIV also gratefully acknowledged the fundamental contribution of Amazonian women—both consecrated and lay—to the processes of evangelization and synodality, valuing their indispensable presence in the communities and their daily commitment to the faith and the care of the land.
The Pontiff has encouraged the Amazonian Churches to persevere with patience and hope, recalling that:
“The true processes of the Spirit grow without haste: in silence, with time, and with everyone moving forward at the same pace.”
With these words, Pope Leo XIV continues to affirm the Amazon as a privileged space of listening, discernment, and hope for the entire Church.
A hope that animates the Amazonian journey
A hope that animates the Amazonian journey
On this first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, CEAMA renews its commitment to continue building a Church incarnated in the Amazonian reality, a defender of life and a promoter of integral ecology.
The Holy Father’s voice continues to encourage Amazonian communities not to lose hope and to keep dreaming of an Amazon where justice, fraternity, peace, and care for our Common Home flourish.
From the Amazon, CEAMA thanks Pope Leo XIV for his closeness, his prophetic word, and his constant invitation to walk together as the People of God in the service of life.