Colombia: In a message of encouragement and spiritual direction, Pope Leo XIV has urged the Church in the Amazon region to become a living witness of unity enriched by diversity, while continuing its journey of embedding the Gospel within local cultures.
The Pope delivered his message through a video address to the 6th Assembly of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazonia, currently underway in Bogotá. He expressed gratitude to bishops, priests, consecrated religious, and lay participants for gathering in what he described as a “grace-filled moment of listening to the Holy Spirit,” aimed at discerning the future path for communities deeply rooted in the Amazon.
Acknowledging the complex realities faced by people in Amazonia, Pope Leo XIV spoke with compassion about both their material hardships and spiritual struggles. He reaffirmed the Church’s closeness to those enduring difficulties, emphasizing its role as a companion to the marginalized and suffering.
The Pontiff encouraged the assembly to move forward in shaping Synodal pastoral directions that would guide local Churches in addressing present challenges. Drawing a powerful metaphor from nature, he referred to the shihuahuaco tree (Dipteryx micrantha), known for its slow growth, towering strength, and longevity. Like this tree, he said, the Church is called to grow steadily, endure through time, and become a life-giving presence that shelters and sustains diverse forms of life.
“The Church must be a sign of unity in diversity,” the Pope noted, “a safe refuge that nurtures and protects life in all its richness.”
He further stressed that the Church’s mission in the Amazon must remain firmly rooted in Christ, nourished through prayer and contemplation of divine love. At the same time, he highlighted the urgent need to respond to ongoing social, environmental, cultural, and ecclesial challenges, particularly those arising from exploitation and abuse threatening the region.
Amid these trials, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to boldly proclaim the core message of the Gospel the kerygma while promoting new life in Christ. He underscored the importance of defending human dignity, safeguarding creation, and respecting all forms of life.
A central theme of his address was the importance of inculturation the process of expressing the Gospel through local cultural contexts. Describing it as both demanding and indispensable, the Pope urged openness to the creative work of the Holy Spirit, capable of bringing forth new expressions of faith from the enduring richness of Christ’s message.
In his concluding remarks, the Pope called on Catholics in the Amazon to embrace their identity as missionary disciples. He encouraged them to persevere in their mission, drawing inspiration from the sacrifices of past generations whose faith, often sealed in suffering, has laid the foundation for a vibrant and growing Church in the region.
“Continue sowing seeds of faith,” he urged, “in a land already nourished by the witness and sacrifice of those who came before roots that now sustain a great and living tree of faith across Amazonia.”