Open the church's doors to evangelization, pope tells new archbishops (2024)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While Jesus entrusted St. Peter with the keys to the kingdom more than two millennia ago, and his modern-day successor conferred apostolic authority to newly appointed archbishops June 29, it is ultimately God who holds the power to open the church's doors and lead the Christian community forward in its mission of evangelization, Pope Francis said.

Reflecting on the Apostle Peter's liberation from prison after an angel opened his cell, the pope said God "is the one who sets us free and opens the way before us" in his homily during Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29.

He noted that the Christians Peter sought out after his liberation did not believe he was knocking at their door, mistaking him for an angel.

Open the church's doors to evangelization, pope tells new archbishops (1)

"This point is significant: the doors of the prison were opened by the Lord’s strength, but Peter then found it hard to enter the house of the Christian community," he said. "How many times have communities not learned this wisdom of the need to open the doors!"

Before 33 newly appointed archbishops gathered in St. Peter's Basilica to receive their palliums -- woolen bands worn by archbishops to symbolize their pastoral authority and unity with the pope -- Pope Francis underscored the model of St. Paul as one who "discovers the grace of weakness."

"When we are weak, he tells us, it is then that we are strong, because we no longer rely on ourselves, but on Christ," the pope said.

Yet he explained that relying on Christ "does not lead to a consoling, inward-looking religiosity like that found in a few movements in the church today," noting instead that St. Paul's encounter with God ignited within him "a burning zeal for evangelization."

Both Sts. Peter and Paul "witnessed first-hand the work of God, who opened the doors of their interior prisons but also the actual prisons into which they were thrown because of the Gospel," he said, as well as the "doors of evangelization, so they could have the joy of encountering their brothers and sisters in the fledgling communities and bring the hope of the Gospel to all."

Open the church's doors to evangelization, pope tells new archbishops (2)

After the entrance procession, deacons brought out the palliums from the tomb of St. Peter for Pope Francis to bless them. The palliums, made from the wool of lambs blessed by the pope on the feast of St. Agnes -- who is often depicted with a lamb to symbolize purity -- emphasize the role of the archbishop as a pastor who guides and protects his flock.

Pope Francis remained seated during the Mass -- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar -- but stood during the sign of peace to greet Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of Chalcedon, who attended the Mass as part of a delegation from the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople..

The pope invited the metropolitan to sit next to him when he distributed the palliums to the archbishops, who each shook his hand after greeting the pope.

Among the 33 archbishops were Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne of Hartford, Connecticut, and Archbishop Thomas R. Zinkula of Dubuque, Iowa. Both U.S. archbishops brought members of their families with them to Rome to witness them receive their palliums from the pope.

After the Mass, Archbishop Zinkula told Catholic News Service that receiving the pallium is a "huge symbol" of the archbishops' unity with the universal church and the pope, which he said is especially important in light of a growing sense of division in the United States at large and the U.S. church.

A member of the North American synod team, Archbishop Zinkula said that discussions on tensions arose in many synod listening sessions throughout the country, and that the responsibility for overcoming such feelings of division fall to the church's pastors.

"If we're going to be effective in evangelizing in our increasingly secular culture, we've got to be together as a church, and that bishop is at the heart of that," he said, stressing the need for people to seek refuge in the sacraments and particularly the Eucharist "to heal us and help us grow in our faith and love."

Open the church's doors to evangelization, pope tells new archbishops (3)

The archbishop said the church needs to address its own sense of division, but that it should also play a role in "helping to dissipate that larger tension in society."

Archbishop Coyne also acknowledged increased societal division which "finds its way into the church," but said that the chair of St. Peter remains as a "symbol of unity" for Catholics, "irregardless of who sits in it."

As a result, the church's pastors are called to be "unifiers," the archbishop told CNS. "People are feeling isolated, that's why we want to bring them to communion, people are feeling angry and feel they have meaningless lives, that's why we want to have them know the full meaning of life, which is in Jesus Christ."

"Everything we do as Christians, especially as Catholics, should never be anything that leads to division, anger," but rather action that "brings us together as brothers and sisters," he said.

Open the church's doors to evangelization, pope tells new archbishops (2024)

FAQs

Why did the Pope open the Holy Door? ›

On the first day of a holy year, the Pope strikes the brick wall with a silver hammer and opens it to the pilgrims. The message imparted by the Holy Door is that God's mercy reaches out to mankind's frailty. From inside the basilica, you'll notice that the door is walled up.

What did the popes comment about EWTN? ›

ROME — Pope Francis has issued a thinly veiled criticism of the U.S.-based Eternal Word Television Network, known as EWTN, saying that while he may be worthy of personal scrutiny, the church does not deserve attacks such as those regularly made by the station.

What new religious order did the pope recognize? ›

New religious orders

Unlike the Benedictine monks or the Franciscan and Dominican friars, the Jesuits swore special obedience to the pope and were specifically dedicated to the task of reconstructing church life and teaching in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation.

How would you greet the Pope? ›

Address the Pope as "Your Holiness." Another acceptable way to address the Pope in writing would be "Most Holy Father." Note, however, that on the envelope, you should address the Pope as “His Holiness, ________” with the Pope's name in the blank.

Why do they say the doors of the church are open? ›

“The doors of the church are open.” The title of this article is an invitation that we extend at the close of Sunday sermons. The invitation signifies to worshippers that they are welcomed to publicly come forward and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Indeed, the church is open to believers and seekers.

Is EWTN owned by the Catholic Church? ›

Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare nun, founded EWTN in 1980. The Network went on the air on August 15, 1981. The network is housed in a state-of-the-art multi-media digital complex in Irondale, Alabama. EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 44th year, is the largest Catholic media organization in the world.

Does Vatican support EWTN? ›

While not directly mentioning EWTN, the pope said at a 2021 meeting with Jesuits in Slovakia, "There is, for example, a large Catholic television channel that has no hesitation in continually speaking ill of the pope." He acknowledged, "I personally deserve attacks and insults because I am a sinner, but the church does ...

Who was the priest removed from EWTN? ›

Its work was hampered by Corapi's refusal to release witnesses from non-disclosure agreements and the breach of contract lawsuit he filed against the principal accuser. The television network EWTN suspended broadcasts by Corapi when he was placed on leave.

Why do the Jesuits have a bad reputation? ›

But the Jesuits are also among the church's more controversial groups: They have sometimes run afoul of Catholic groups holding different opinions or church authorities, and they also have been accused of conniving in politics.

Why do Protestants not recognize the Pope? ›

Historically Protestants have been very critical of the papacy as an institution. They have rejected the papacy for its theological claims and for its tyrannical exercise of power over the churches.

When did the Catholic Church lose its way? ›

The most traumatic era in the entire history of Roman Catholicism, some have argued, was the period from the middle of the 14th century to the middle of the 16th. This was the time when Protestantism, through its definitive break with Roman Catholicism, arose to take its place on the Christian map.

Do you curtsy to pope? ›

Yes, if you are Catholic and the pope offers his hand.

What do you call the Pope if you meet him? ›

The proper pronoun for the Pope is "His Holiness", "Sua Sanctitate" in Latin or "Sua Santità" (in Italian). The form "Your Holiness" is used for speech addressed to him immediately, with "His Holiness" therefore being employed in indirect references.

What is behind the Holy Door? ›

Rear of the Holy Door. Contained inside are several medals and canonical documents from the Pontificate during which the door was last opened. Following the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the door is now sealed.

What happens when you enter the Holy Door? ›

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7). Thus, Jesus speaks of Himself as a door, and so the Holy Door becomes the necessary passage for those who want to follow Him, finding in Him redemption from every sin and salvation.

What does the church door symbolize? ›

The principal doors of all Catholic churches are full of symbolic meaning. Briefly, they signify that it is necessary to enter the Catholic Church if a man wishes to be saved. It is at the entrance of the church that a catechumen asks the priest to be baptized.

What are the 4 holy doors? ›

The Holy Doors are open only during the jubilee year.

The four papal basilicas of Rome have a Holy Door: the St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and Basilica of St Mary Major.

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