Pope Francis has called upon the faithful to rekindle their love for spending time with Christ and to become missionaries of His love, in a message sent to the National Eucharistic Congress in Madagascar, which is taking place from August 23–26.

"I encourage this initiative that aims to bring the sons and daughters of your Christian communities back to the essentials, helping them to rediscover the sense of Eucharistic adoration and the desire to spend time with Christ," the Pope wrote in his message on Friday.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Marie Fabien Raharilamboniain, President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar, the Pope emphasized that approaching Christ in the Eucharist "contributes to the growth of each one of you as Christians, as you are called to become more and more."

The National Eucharistic Congress coincides with the celebration of the centenary of the "Eucharistic Youth Movement," and Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the participants, noting that the gathering holds special significance as the Church prepares for the second session of the Synod on Synodality.

"May this occasion help you rediscover the importance of meeting, praying, and engaging with others and for others in the footsteps of Jesus in the Eucharist," the Pope said. He added, "Once we have encountered Christ in adoration, once we have touched and received Him in the Eucharistic celebration, it is no longer possible to keep Him to ourselves; instead, we become missionaries of His love to others."

The Pope further highlighted that the Eucharist compels believers to a deeply committed love for their neighbors, as its true meaning cannot be fully understood or lived if their hearts remain closed to others.

He invited the participants, along with members of the "Eucharistic Youth Movement" celebrating their centenary, to help their brothers and sisters "experience Jesus in the Eucharist," and to "make their own lives an offering to God, united with that of Jesus on the Altar, in order to make Him known, loved, and served ever more."

Pope Francis concluded his message by wishing the Congress participants a fruitful gathering and entrusting them to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, praying that she may intercede for them so that they may deepen their relationship with Christ each day.