Pope Leo XIV Sends Message of Spiritual Closeness to Catholics in England and Wales
Pope Leo XIV has sent a message to Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, greeting participants of the Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress and expressing his spiritual closeness to the faithful.
Pope Leo XIV has expressed his spiritual closeness to Catholics in England and Wales in a message sent to Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops' Conference, on the occasion of the Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress. The congress took place on Saturday, 10 October, bringing together bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful from across the two nations.
In his message, the Holy Father extended greetings to all those taking part in the event, which is dedicated to the worship and adoration of the Eucharist. The Adoremus congress serves as a national gathering for the Catholic community in England and Wales, drawing participants from parishes, dioceses, and religious orders for a shared period of prayer, reflection, and Eucharistic devotion.
The Pope's message underscores the importance of the Eucharistic congress as a moment of unity and spiritual renewal for the Church in England and Wales. By addressing the Bishops' Conference President directly, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the communion between the Holy See and the local Church, affirming the faithful in their devotion and reminding them of his pastoral care despite the geographical distance.
Archbishop Richard Moth, as President of the Bishops' Conference, received the message on behalf of the participants. The congress itself represents a significant event in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, providing an opportunity for the faithful to deepen their understanding and love of the Eucharist. Such national Eucharistic congresses are typically held at intervals and serve to reinvigorate the devotional life of the local Church.
The message from Pope Leo XIV reflects the broader tradition of papal engagement with local churches through written correspondence, a practice that maintains the bond of unity among Catholics worldwide. In expressing his spiritual closeness, the Holy Father joins himself to the prayers and intentions of the congress, even though he is not physically present. This form of papal greeting is common for major ecclesial gatherings and is seen as a mark of the Pope's role as the universal pastor.
The Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress on 10 October thus became a focal point for the Catholic community in England and Wales, with the Pope's message adding a further dimension of universality to the event. The gathering allowed participants to reflect on the central mystery of the Catholic faith — the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist — and to renew their commitment to living out that faith in their daily lives.
Pope Leo XIV's message to Archbishop Moth and the participants serves as a reminder of the Church's ongoing mission to proclaim the Gospel and to celebrate the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, which the Second Vatican Council described as the source and summit of the Christian life. The congress and the papal greeting together highlight the continued vitality of Catholic life in England and Wales and the importance of such national gatherings in fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose among the faithful.
The event concluded with participants departing to their home dioceses and parishes, carrying with them the encouragement of the Holy Father and the graces of the congress. The message from Pope Leo XIV will likely be remembered as a significant moment of papal affirmation for the Catholic community in England and Wales, reinforcing the bonds of faith and communion that unite them with Rome and with Catholics around the world.
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