Vatican City: Pope Francis encouraged the Carmelite Sisters Messengers of the Holy Spirit to embrace their vocation of prayer and evangelization, rooted in their rich tradition. Speaking during an audience on Friday, the Pope reminded the sisters of St. Paul’s compelling words: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!”

The audience included sisters who had traveled from Brazil and parts of Europe, marking the 40th anniversary of their institute and the election of new leadership during their 4th General Chapter.

Pope Francis called this milestone a powerful reminder of their daily commitment to evangelization and spreading God’s Word to all people. Highlighting the universal Christian duty to share the Gospel, he cautioned against the spiritual harm of gossip.

“Gossip contradicts the spirit of the Gospel because it leads to judgment and condemnation,” he said. “The Gospel, by contrast, is always welcoming.”

The Pope emphasized the unique calling of the Carmelites to combine their missionary efforts with a deep life of prayer and contemplation.

“In your Institute,” he concluded, “the drive for evangelization in various fields is inseparably linked to the contemplative life, following the ancient and beautiful Carmelite tradition.”