Pope Francis explained to seminarians the type of priest the Church needs in this historic moment.
POPE FRANCIS
We need [priests] who bear witness with their lives. Be priests burning with the desire to carry the Gospel through the world's streets, in neighborhoods, in homes, especially in the poorest and most forgotten places.
The Pope asked them to nurture a broad vision in order to reach every corner of the world.
He asked them to be merciful when hearing confession, just as they like to be shown mercy by priests hearing their own confession.
He also encouraged them to build bridges and unity among people.
POPE FRANCIS
Be weavers of communion, eliminators of inequality, shepherds attentive to the signs of the people's suffering.
The Pope said these things during a meeting with the Lombard Seminary of Rome, which is celebrating a special anniversary.
'First of all, I thank you for this meeting on the centennial of the election of Pope Pius XI, who was once one of our students.'
During the meeting, Pope Francis honored Pius XI, remembering how he was the pope who reestablished the custom of going out to the balcony to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
With a touch of humor, the Pope asked future priests to shepherd the entire flock, instead of only grooming the best of the sheep.
JMB
TR: CT
