Pope to pilgrims from the Czech Republic: witness to peace and hope in Europe, which needs them so much

Here is Pope Francis' message to the pilgrims from the Czech Republic, which was delivered on Saturday afternoon, 29 March, at the beginning of 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 compatriots. Proclaim the Gospel "without fear of difficulties and obstacles", Pope Francis urges in his message, for "those who trust in God are never abandoned".

POPE FRANCIS

Dear brothers in the episcopal ministry,
dear priests, nuns and religious,
dear sisters and dear brothers in the Lord!

I wanted to be with you personally to share this moment of faith and communion, but because of my convalescence I am joining you spiritually and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

I cordially greet all of you who have come from the Czech Republic to Rome to make a national pilgrimage in this Jubilee Year. With gratitude I greet the President of the Bishops' Conference, Mons. Jan Graubner, all the bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity present. Your pilgrimage is a concrete sign of your desire for a renewal of faith, a strengthening of your bond with Peter's successor, and a joyful confession of your devotion to the Lord who walks with us always, sustains us in trials, and calls us to be witnesses of his peace and love. He is faithful to His promises, and therefore hope never fails! (cf. Rome 5.5; Bula Spes non confundit).

Your journey of faith follows the rich Christian tradition of your country, enlightened by the witness of St. Vojtěch, 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. St. Paul reminds us, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." (1 Kor 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 abundant food for the multitudes (cf. Mt 14:13-21).It is the same with 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 imagine. That is why 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 John of Nepomuk and many other witnesses of faith in your country. Their lives show us that whoever trusts in God will never be abandoned, even in times of trial such as persecution.

Let us walk together, shepherds and people, on this beautiful path of faith. Let us support one another and, by our lives, become witnesses of peace and hope in a world that needs them so much, even in Europe. Our faith is not just for us, but it is a gift to be joyfully shared.

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

Vatican City, March 26, 2025

The Pope's words were read by the Secretary General of the Czech Bishops' Conference, P. Roman Czudek, during the Mass presided over by the Archbishop Emeritus of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka, on Saturday 29 March in St Peter's Basilica. The celebration was also attended by Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, who also welcomed the pilgrims on behalf of the Pope, received their gift for the Pope and greeted all the compatriots, especially those who came from his native Brno:

"Dear sisters and brothers pilgrims from the Czech Republic, I welcome you warmly to the pilgrimage to the Vatican on behalf of Pope Francis. I would like to convey his great thanks and greetings and to assure you of his closeness to each one of you. Unfortunately, he cannot meet you in person this time. Therefore, I will gladly present your 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 express God's providence visibly. It gives hope to those who give and to those who receive. Once again, I welcome you, my countrymen, to St. Peter's. I wish you many graces of God on this holy pilgrimage. I want to reiterate that the Holy Father sends his warmest greetings to all of you. And I greet especially all of you who have come from my native Brno. Say hello at home!"

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