Vatican City: Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on the Holy Spirit and the Bride during this week’s General Audience, focusing on the vital role of preaching in the Church. He urged preachers to ground their ministry in the Gospel’s core message and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope drew inspiration from the First Letter of Peter, which describes the apostles as those who “preached the good news to you [through] the Holy Spirit.” He identified two key aspects of Christian preaching: its essence, which is the Gospel, and its method, the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis first reflected on the term "Gospel" as used in the New Testament, highlighting its dual significance. It refers to the message proclaimed by Jesus during His earthly ministry and, post-Easter, to the good news of Christ's death and resurrection—the heart of the Paschal mystery. The Pope emphasized the Apostle Peter's understanding of the Gospel as “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

He noted that the teachings of Jesus and the apostles encompass moral duties derived from the Gospel, including the Ten Commandments and the commandment of love. However, he warned against prioritizing the law over grace and works over faith, urging always to begin with the proclamation of Christ’s saving work.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis underscored the importance of the kerygma, or proclamation of the Gospel, as the foundation for all moral teaching. He called preachers to focus on this primary message.

Turning to the second element of preaching—the means—Pope Francis stressed that the Gospel must be shared “through the Holy Spirit.” True preaching, he explained, involves conveying not just ideas and doctrine but also life and conviction, in a manner imbued with the Spirit’s power rather than mere rhetorical skill.

Adding a practical note, the Pope advised homilies to be concise and impactful, ideally lasting no more than 10 minutes. He joked, “After eight minutes, people lose focus, and no one remembers what you said. Never go over 10 minutes!”

Addressing potential challenges, Pope Francis encouraged preachers to pray fervently for the Holy Spirit’s assistance and to prioritize Christ above personal recognition or individual pastoral initiatives. Collaboration and obedience within the community, he added, are essential virtues for effective preaching.

Concluding his reflection, Pope Francis prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in proclaiming the Gospel powerfully and effectively to the modern world.