The Holy Father Leo XIV went to Assisi at the Porziuncola for the conclusion of the work of the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference. The Pope was welcomed and accompanied by Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, Br. Francesco Piloni, Minister Provincial of Umbria and Sardinia, and Br. Massimo Travascio, Custos of the Portiuncula.
In his address to the Bishops of the CEI, Leo XIV placed synodality as an ecclesial style at the centre, urging "the commitment of all, so that the face of a collegial Church, which shares common steps and choices, may take shape." The Holy Father invited the Bishops not to go back on the issue of the amalgamation of dioceses, "especially where the needs of the Christian proclamation invite us to overcome certain territorial boundaries and to make our religious and ecclesial identities more open, learning to work together." He also stressed that "synodality, which implies an effective exercise of collegiality, requires not only communion among you and with me, but also attentive listening and serious discernment of the requests that come from the people of God."
The Pope urged the Bishops to be "a Church that lives amongst the people, welcomes their requests, alleviates their suffering, shares their hopes", continuing "to be close to families, to young people, to the elderly, to those who live in solitude" and "to spend yourselves in the care of the poor". He also recommended "attention to the smallest and most vulnerable, so that a culture of prevention of all forms of abuse may also develop", recalling that "welcoming and listening to victims are the authentic trait of a Church that, in community conversion, knows how to recognize wounds and is committed to soothing them".
The Holy Father recalled the example of the Poverello-The Poor Man of Assisi in the very place where he lived: "In this place, St. Francis and the first friars lived to the full what, in today's language, we call 'synodal style'. Together, in fact, they shared the different stages of their journey; together they went to Pope Innocent III; Together, from year to year, they perfected and enriched the initial text". Leo XIV highlighted that "this convinced choice of fraternity, which is the heart of the Franciscan charism together with minority, was inspired by an intrepid and persevering faith", concluding: "May the example of St. Francis also give us the strength to make choices inspired by an authentic faith and to be, as a Church, a sign and witness of the Kingdom of God in the world".
At the end he wanted to visit the friars of the Portiuncula fraternity. "Peace and goodwill. It is a pleasure to be able to greet you this morning," the Pontiff began, sharing his joy for this first visit "dressed in white" to the Franciscan holy places. "I hope that next year, the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis, there will be some other opportunity," he added, thanking the friars for their testimony in this place "already well known in the world, certainly important in the journey of faith of so many people, so many families." The Pope concluded by asking for the prayers of the friars: "I pray for you... and I ask for your prayers."
