Pope meets “La Civiltà Cattolica” magazine team

14 June, 2013 - Pope Francis on Friday met the staff and writers of the Italian periodical, ‘La Civiltà Cattolica’ ( “The Catholic Civilization”), encouraging them to be in the forefront in building bridges, not walls. The fortnightly is among the oldest of Catholic Italian periodicals published without interruption by the Jesuits in Rome, since 1850. The Pope, himself a Jesuit, told the team to engage in dialogue with those who don’t share the Christian faith but who have the culture of high human values, and also with those who oppose the Church and persecute her in various ways. After Jesuit Superior General, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, addressed the Pope on behalf of the magazine team, the Pope explained that in today’s world, marked by rapid changes and disturbed by important issues of faith life, a courageous commitment is needed in educating people to a convinced and mature faith that is able to give meaning to life and offer convincing answers to those searching for God. The Pope exhorted the team to support the effort of the Church in all the fields of her mission, in the cultural and social processes that are passing through difficult moments, including in conflicts. In this, he exhorted them to maintain an open heart and mind, expressing the expectations, wishes, joys and dramas of our time and helping people read them in the light of the Gospel.