Pope Francis participated in the International Biblical-Pastoral Congress. It was organized to mark the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Biblical Federation.
This organization promotes the translation and dissemination of the Bible, study of Sacred Scripture, pastoral ministry and interfaith dialogue.
CARD. LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE
President, Catholic Biblical Federation
“Holy Father, on behalf of the 200 participants in the International Biblical Congress from 68 countries, I would like to thank you for this meeting.”
The pope thanked them for their work. He told them to make sure the Bible does not remain in libraries, but is spread across the world to people.
POPE FRANCIS
“Many words reach our ears every day, transmitting information and including multiple contributions. Many, perhaps, so much information to the point that it exceeds our capacity to receive it. However, we cannot renounce the Word of Jesus, the only Word of eternal life that we need every day.”
Pope Francis asked priests to reflect on the Bible for their homilies. This is so they may speak the Word of God, and not be self-referential.
He added the biblical scriptures are like fire and wind. The bible has a creativity able to widen the horizons for believers.
