Remembering ...

In his homily at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Manila, Pope Francis reminded the clergy and religious that “all pastoral ministry is born of love.”

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He said that love is the foundation of every act of service, calling them to tend to their people with compassion and care.

He added that this love should be the driving force behind their ministry. He urged them to be “ambassadors for Christ,” bringing others to a renewed, personal encounter with the Lord.

A key part of Pope Francis’ message was the central role of the poor in the Gospel. “The poor are at the center of the Gospel, are at the heart of the Gospel. If we take away the poor from the Gospel, we can’t understand the whole message of Jesus Christ,” he said.

He reminded the faithful that Jesus’ message cannot be fully grasped without considering the poor, who are not only an important part of the Gospel but its very essence. He called on the Church to place the poor at the heart of its mission and to prioritize their needs.

The Pope also spoke about the need for constant self-examination and conversion.