Pope Francis gave a very important, and impassioned, talk this morning at the Cathedral in Florence to a Congress of the Italian Church. My colleague Joshua McElwee has a report on the talk here.
The Holy Father’s address is a kind of re-boot of the vision of the Church he outlined in Evangelii Gaudium, his programmatic apostolic exhortation issued in the first year of his pontificate. He doubtlessly returned to the themes articulated there because they have not entirely been absorbed. Also, because this meeting in Italy is a big deal, bringing together thousands of Catholics from across the country every ten years. The only thing even remotely akin to this meeting in the U.S. Church is the national Encuentro, which brings together Latino Church leaders from across the nation. Here was a moment for the pope to speak from his heart about what is most important. As you read McElwee’s account, you will realize he did not disappoint.
Read Full Article »