Pope to Knights of Columbus: Seek new ways of being a leaven in society

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met today with the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and later addressed the organization’s Board of Directors.

In his remarks, Pope Francis recalled the vision of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Father Michael McGivney. He called on the Knights to “continue to seek new ways of being a leaven of the Gospel and a force for the spiritual renewal of society.”

The Pope expressed his gratitude “for the unfailing support which your Order has always given to the works of the Holy See.” In particular, he drew attention to the Knights’ Vicarius Christi Fund, which provides aid for the Pope’s personal charities. The Holy Father described the Fund as “an eloquent sign of your solidarity with the Successor of Peter in his concern for the universal Church” . . . a solidarity that “also seen in the daily prayers, sacrifices and Apostolic works” of the Knights of Columbus throughout the world.
“As the present Year of Faith draws to its close,” Pope Francis concluded, “I commend all of you in a special way to the intercession of Saint Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who is an admirable model of those manly virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights of Columbus are committed to preserving, cultivating and passing on to future generations of Catholic men.”

Listen to Tracey McClure's report:
Below, please find the complete text of the Holy Father’s remarks, which were delivered in Italian:
Greeting of the Holy Father
To the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus
10 October 2013

Dear Friends, good morning,

I am pleased to welcome the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus on the occasion of your meeting in Rome. I thank you once again for the prayers which you, and all the Knights and their families, have offered for my intentions and the needs of the Church throughout the world since my election as Bishop of Rome.

On this occasion I also wish to express my gratitude for the unfailing support which your Order has always given to the works of the Holy See. This support finds particular expression in the Vicarius Christi Fund, which is an eloquent sign of your solidarity with the Successor of Peter in his concern for the universal Church, but it is also seen in the daily prayers, sacrifices and apostolic works of so many Knights in their local Councils, their parishes and their communities. May prayer, witness to the faith and concern for our brothers and sisters in need always be the three pillars supporting your work both individually and corporately. In fidelity to the vision of the Venerable Father Michael McGivney, may you continue to seek new ways of being a leaven of the Gospel and a force for the spiritual renewal of society.

As the present Year of Faith draws to its close, I commend all of you in a special way to the intercession of Saint Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who is an admirable model of those manly virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights of Columbus are committed to preserving, cultivating and passing on to future generations of Catholic men.

Asking a remembrance in your prayers, and with great affection in the Lord, I now willingly impart to you, and to all the Knights and their families, my Apostolic Blessing.