Holiness of life shows the beauty of faith, Pope says

In an audience granted to the Dicastery for Evangelization, Pope Leo XIX thanked them for the great organizational efforts of last year's Jubilee, which attracted more than 33 million people. In addition, the Pontiff wanted to share some reflections on the life of the Church for the years to come.

The world is thirstier than ever for hope, and evangelization must remain the fundamental motivation for every action of the universal Church and local communities. Only in this way will it be possible to rediscover the faith in all its beauty and better express its credibility,» the Pope said in the Audience.

However, “especially in Western countries, the crisis of faith, along with other socio-cultural factors, has resulted in widespread religious indifference. For many, faith no longer seems relevant in their lives.”.

“Growing demand for spirituality, especially among young people.”

Alongside this fact, “the growing demand for spirituality, especially among young people, deserves special attention, as was clearly expressed during the Jubilee of Youth. The new generation is not excluded from the Gospel; on the contrary, many, rediscovering it, wish to know it better, because they perceive that in it lies the key to true happiness”.

In this sense, “evangelization today, in particular, must address the changing conditions and dynamics of the transmission of the faith from generation to generation. In some regions of the world, this transmission has practically come to a halt, which calls for the ability to face new challenges.”.

Fortunately, he added, “throughout the world there are numerous and varied experiences through which Christian communities, associations, movements and ecclesial groups meet with young people, listen to them and relate to them,” the Holy Father mentioned.

The transmission of the faith, in this context, “necessarily takes place through encounters with persons and communities that express the joy of the Christian faith and the coherence of an evangelical lifestyle”.

How to deal with this transmission of faith? 

The Pope leaned on Benedict XVI and said that “Christianity cannot be made attractive by watering down its content or watering down its demands. But by bearing witness with humility and courage to the “way, the truth and the life” that has converted and sanctified so many. 

“As stated Benedict XVIWhat we need at this moment in history are men who, through an enlightened and lived faith, make God credible in this world. [...] We need men who keep their eyes fixed on God, learning from him true humanity. 

We need men whose intellects are illuminated by the light of God and whose hearts God opens to them, so that their intellects can speak to the intellects of others and their hearts can open the hearts of others. Only through men touched by God can God return to men’ (Benedict, Europe in the Crisis of Cultures, Siena 2005, 63-64).

And he summarized: “Therefore, holiness of life always remains the most convincing form of the beauty of the Christian faith, which transcends time and is offered to all cultures”.

Evangelii gaudium, catechumens, Confirmation, Confirmation

In his concluding remarks, the Pope addressed three issues:

- cited Pope Francis“ Programmatic Exhortation, ”which remains a decisive point of reference“. And he invited ‘you to incorporate 'Evangelii Gaudium’We are committed to your work at all levels, to promote a “Christocentric and kerygmatic mission, born of an encounter with Christ capable of transforming lives”.

 - Pay special attention to catechumens, since more and more are requesting Baptism.

- Similar attention should be given to children receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.

Leo XIV entrusted his work “to the Virgin Mary, perfect disciple and missionary of the Gospel”.