Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church in Asia to deepen its spirit of unity, strengthen faith through the Eucharist, and become a force for peace by building bridges across the continent.
In a video message sent to participants of the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), currently taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Pope encouraged bishops from across Asia to work together in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the Church in the region.
The assembly, which is being held from July 20 to July 26, has brought together bishops and Church leaders from different Asian countries to reflect on the future of the Catholic Church and discuss key pastoral and social issues affecting their communities.
Pope Leo assured the participants of his prayers and spiritual support as they continue their discussions. He said he was praying that the Holy Spirit would guide their conversations and inspire them in making decisions that would strengthen the Church's mission throughout Asia.
Reflecting on the theme of the assembly, which is based on Jesus' words to Nathanael, "You will see greater things," taken from the Gospel of John, the Pope reminded the bishops that Jesus is the foundation of both their relationship with God and their unity with one another.
He explained that when Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to become His disciples, He revealed Himself as the one who brings humanity closer to God. The Pope said this remains true for Christians today, adding that believers are united not only through their faith in Christ but also through their shared life in the Church.
Pope Leo also referred to his encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which focuses on protecting human dignity during the age of artificial intelligence. He recalled that Christian solidarity is rooted in the mystery of Christ and is strengthened through participation in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
He encouraged the bishops to continue promoting a strong Eucharistic spirituality in their local Churches. According to the Pope, this form of spirituality is built on unity within the Church and on the charity that flows from Christ's gift in the Eucharist.
The Holy Father said that by strengthening this spiritual foundation, local Churches would grow closer to one another and become clearer signs of God's presence in their respective countries. He expressed hope that this renewed unity would also help the Church become a bridge builder across Asia by promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among different peoples and cultures.
Asia is home to a rich diversity of languages, traditions, and religions, making the Church's mission of fostering unity especially important. The Pope's message highlighted the need for bishops to work together while respecting the unique realities of each local Church.
As the assembly continues in Jakarta, Church leaders are expected to reflect on ways to strengthen evangelization, support local communities, and respond to the changing social, cultural, and technological challenges facing the region.
Pope Leo concluded his message by entrusting the gathering and its discussions to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. He prayed that she would accompany the bishops as they seek wisdom and courage in carrying out their responsibilities.
He ended by invoking God's blessing upon all those taking part in the assembly, praying that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit would remain with them always as they continue their mission of serving the Church and building unity throughout Asia.