Pope urges evangelization of large cities

November 28, 2014

Speaking extemporaneously to participants in an International Pastoral Congress on the World’s Big Cities, Pope Francis recalled his own experience as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and called for a change in “pastoral mentality” in order to promote evangelization.

“We must work to have no shame or reluctance in announcing Jesus Christ,” he said, as he called for the abandonment of once-successful pastoral strategies that no longer work and criticized those who “hide the truth about Jesus.”

The Pope asked participants to recognize that cities are multicultural and to be grounded in their Christian identity as they approach others with “empathy.”

“Go out to meet, to listen, to bless, to walk with people,” he continued. “And facilitate the meeting with the Lord. Make the Sacrament of Baptism accessible. [Keep] churches open.”

Pope Francis concluded with a call for a “Samaritan Church” that attracts others to Christ through works of mercy and justice.

 

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Further information:

• Udienza ai partecipanti al Congresso Internazionale della Pastorale delle Grandi Città (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope: God lives in big cities. We must be there with Him. (Vatican Radio)