Pope Francis has already stated clearly several times that he considers the West, and especially Europe, to be tired and exhausted.
In a 2014 speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he spoke of "the general impression of tiredness, of aging", of a Europe that is "now a grandmother, no longer fertile, no longer alive". Now on Monday, May 8, at an audience held for monks, he added:
"There are so many men and women who still need the gospel, not only in the so-called 'mission countries', but also in the tired old West!"
The Pope told this in the Vatican to the Fathers of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), whose missionary society (Congregatio Sancti Spiritus sub tutela Immaculati Cordis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae) in its current form is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. The congregation is active in six countries on five continents, the number of its monks is 2,600, and they can rely on many lay helpers.
Ferenc touched on the fact that interculturality and integration both inside and outside the church are a particularly urgent challenge today.
"Today, your openness and respect for others is especially valuable - the Pope underlined - as we live in a world in which the problems of the interaction of cultures and inclusion are very much alive and cannot be postponed."
"With courage and inner freedom"
The Pope invited his guests to engage in the (re)evangelization of the "tired, old West" with "courage and inner freedom".
"Look at each person with the eyes of Jesus, who is with everyone - really everyone! - he wants to meet. Don't forget: he wants to meet everyone, really everyone! He especially wants to be close to the poorest, to touch them with his hands and direct his gaze to them."
The "real protagonist" of the mission must be the Holy Spirit, Francis continued, and his predecessor, II. He quoted János Pál.
"Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Allow him to enlighten you, to show you the way and lead you to where he wants you, without setting conditions and excluding anyone, because he is the one who knows what is needed at all times and at every moment."
