In his Message for Mission Sunday, the Holy Father says the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy invites us “to consider the missio ad gentes – the mission to the world – as a great, immense work of mercy, both spiritual and material.” World Mission Sunday, he continues, calls us “to ‘go out’ as missionary disciples, each generously offering talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to carry the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.” He reminds us that “By virtue of the missionary mandate, the Church cares for those who do not know the Gospel, because she wants everyone to be saved and to experience the Lord’s love.”
Pope Francis emphasizes the role of women in missionary work, noting the “considerable and growing presence of women in the missionary world” which he describes as “a significant sign of God’s maternal love.”
He speaks, too, of the importance of education, adding, “I hope, therefore, that the holy people of God will continue to exercise this maternal service of mercy, which helps those who do not yet know the Lord to encounter and love Him.”
His Holiness Pope Francis says, “All peoples and cultures have the right to receive the message of salvation which is God’s gift to every person.” Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel to all nations has not ceased, he concluded: “rather this command commits all of us, in the current landscape with all its challenges, to hear the call to a renewed missionary ‘impulse’.”.
Read Pope Francis’ full Message here