The Church is Called to Serve

The Pope reinforced the theme of his visit to Luxembourg, “Serving people,” drawing attention to the fact that service is an action and “the heart of the gospel” (Jn 13:13-17). He praised Luxembourg’s tradition of accepting people from outside, stating that accepting others is not only a matter of charity but also a matter of justice.

The Pope encouraged the faithful to continue practicing this tradition, saying, “The spirit of the Gospel is one of acceptance, of being open to everyone.”

The Church in a Secular Society

Regarding the second theme, “Mission,” the Pope emphasized the missionary mission of the Church in an increasingly secular society. He stressed the need for the Church to move forward with the times without giving up its core values.

The Pope said, “We cannot close ourselves off in sadness, resignation or complaining and anger”; the church community must be “full of vitality” and always respond to the challenges of the age. To achieve this goal, we must become an “evangelical church.”

The Joy of the Gospel

The Pope touched on the theme of joy, calling it “an integral part of the Christian faith.” He spoke about the testimony given by the young man Diogo Costa before his speech, who shared his joyful experience of participating in World Youth Day last year.

The Pope said that Diogo’s joy represented the message of the Gospel. “Our faith is full of joy, it is a ‘dance’ because we know that we are children of God and God is our friend,” said the Pope.

A Call to Follow the Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This gathering was held in the context of the 400th anniversary of the Luxembourg Church’s devoted devotion to Mary, Comforter of the Sorrowful. The Pope encouraged the country’s church community in his farewell remarks: “Let us follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary in comforting and serving people.”