Bogota: Pope Leo XIV has called on bishops serving in the Amazon region to preach the message of Jesus Christ with bold clarity and deep charity, urging them to center their pastoral mission on proclaiming the Gospel, protecting the dignity of peoples, and caring for creation.
In a message addressed to Cardinal Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno, S.J., President of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon, and conveyed through Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope emphasized that the Church’s mission in Amazonia cannot be diluted. The message was sent on the occasion of the bishops’ summit being held in Bogotá, Colombia, from August 17 to 20.
“It is necessary that Jesus Christ, in whom all things are recapitulated, be proclaimed with clarity and immense charity among the inhabitants of the Amazon,” Pope Leo wrote. He insisted that the faithful of the region be offered “the bread of the Good News and the heavenly food of the Eucharist,” which he described as the essential nourishment that makes believers the People of God and the Body of Christ.
The Pope linked the proclamation of Christ to the transformation of societies, affirming that injustice diminishes wherever His name is preached. Quoting St. Paul, he reminded the bishops that exploitation and oppression give way when communities learn to embrace one another as brothers and sisters.
The Holy Father outlined three interconnected priorities for the bishops’ ministry in the Amazon: the mission to announce the Gospel to all, the commitment to justice for indigenous and local communities, and the responsibility to safeguard the natural environment as part of humanity’s common home.
On ecology, Pope Leo warned against both exploitation and idolatry of nature, stressing that creation is a gift meant to lead humanity toward praising God and ultimately attaining salvation. “No one should irresponsibly destroy the natural goods that speak of the Creator’s goodness and beauty,” he cautioned.
Pope Leo also acknowledged the lessons learned from the Synod for the Amazon, especially the importance of listening, participation, and shared responsibility within the Church. He urged the bishops to act in unity as an episcopal body, offering concrete support to diocesan bishops and apostolic vicars in their pastoral mission.
Expressing gratitude for their dedication, the Pope praised the bishops’ ongoing service to the Amazon’s faithful and their efforts to advance the common good of the Church in the region.
The message concluded with Pope Leo imparting his Apostolic Blessing on the bishops gathered in Bogotá and on the communities entrusted to their pastoral care.