A message from Pope Francis to the pilgrims from the Czech Republic, which was read on Saturday, March 29th, in the afternoon during the Mass celebrated in the Vatican Basilica by Cardinal Duka. Cardinal Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, also came to greet his fellow countrymen. Pope Francis urges us to "proclaim the Gospel without fear of difficulties and obstacles," because "those who trust in God are never abandoned."

POPE FRANCIS

Dear brothers in the episcopacy,
dear priests, religious sisters and brothers,
dear sisters and dear brothers in the Lord!

I would have liked to be with you in person to share this moment of faith and communion, but due to my ongoing recovery, I am joining you spiritually, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

I warmly greet all of you who have come from the Czech Republic to Rome to participate in this national pilgrimage in this jubilee year. I greet with gratitude the president of the bishops' conference, Monsignor Jan Graubner, all the bishops present, the priests, the consecrated, and the lay people. Your pilgrimage is a concrete sign of the desire for renewal of faith, strengthening the bond with the Successor of Peter, and a joyful expression of your devotion to the Lord, who always walks with us, supports us in trials, and calls us to be witnesses to his peace and love. He is faithful to his promises, and therefore hope never disappoints! (cf. Romans 5:5; Bull Spes non confundit).

Your journey of faith builds upon the rich Christian tradition of your country, illuminated by the witness of Saints Wenceslaus, Cyril, and Methodius, and many others. These saints carried the light of the Gospel with courage and patience, even to places where it seemed impossible. Their example teaches us that the Christian mission is not based on visible results, but on faithfulness to God. We too are called to proclaim the Gospel with confidence, without fear of difficulties and obstacles. Saint Paul reminds us: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6). Our task is to sow and water with love and perseverance, without being discouraged.

God asks us to offer what little we are and what we have. Let us remember the five loaves and two fish: in Jesus' hands, they became an abundant meal for the crowds (cf. Matthew 14:13-21). The same is true of our efforts in faith: if we entrust them to the Lord with a generous heart, he will multiply them and make them fruitful in ways we cannot even imagine. Therefore, we must never lose confidence. God acts, even when we do not see immediate results. The history of your saints teaches us this: let us remember the perseverance of Saint John of Nepomuk and many other witnesses of faith in your country. Their lives show us that those who trust in God are never abandoned, even in times of trial, such as persecution.

Let us walk together, pastors and people, on this beautiful path of faith. Let us support each other and, through our lives, be witnesses of peace and hope in a world that so desperately needs it, even in Europe. Our faith is not just for us, but it is a gift that we must joyfully share.

I entrust your pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, so that you may be strengthened in faith, hope, and love. From the bottom of my heart, I bless you all and your nation. And I ask you to pray for me.

Vatican, March 26, 2025

During the Mass, which was presided over on Saturday, March 29th, in St. Peter's Basilica by the retired Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka, the Pope's words were read by the Secretary General of the Czech Bishops' Conference, Father Roman Czudek. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, also attended the ceremony. He welcomed the pilgrims on behalf of the Pope, received a gift for the Pope from them, and greeted all the compatriots, especially those who had come from his hometown of Brno: "Dear brothers and sisters, pilgrims from the Czech Republic, I warmly welcome you to this pilgrimage in the Vatican on behalf of Pope Francis. I would like to convey his heartfelt thanks, greetings, and assurance of his closeness to each of you. Unfortunately, he is unable to meet with you personally this time. Therefore, I will gladly present this gift to the Holy Father. Almsgiving has always been a part of Lent, along with prayer and fasting. This Jubilee year is, above all, a year of hope. The generosity of Christians helps to visibly express God's providence. It gives hope to those who give, and to those who receive. Once again, I welcome you, my fellow countrymen, to St. Peter's. I wish you many blessings on this holy pilgrimage. I would like to reiterate that the Holy Father sends you all his warmest greetings. And I especially greet all of you who have come from my hometown of Brno. Greet those at home!" [https://www.vaticannews.va/cs/papez/news/2025-03/buh-od-nas-zada-abychom-nabidli-to-malo-co-jsme-a-co-mame.html](https://www.vaticannews.va/cs/papez/news/2025-03/buh-od-nas-zada-abychom-nabidli-to-malo-co-jsme-a-co-mame.html) vaticannews.va/gnews.cz-jav