His Holiness Pope Francis sends video message ahead of journey to Cyprus and Greece

This message is also available in Arabic.

Just a few days ahead of his apostolic journey to Cyprus and Greece, His Holiness Pope Francis has sent a video message expressing his joy in visiting "as a pilgrim to your magnificent lands blessed by history, culture, and the Gospel". The Pope leaves for the two nations on Thursday, December 2, for a five-day journey.

By Vatican News staff writer

In his video message, His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his joy over the upcoming visit to Cyprus and Greece, which begins five days from now. His visit "in the name of the Gospel" will follow in the footsteps of the first great missionaries, especially the Apostles Paul and Barnabas, he said, noting the importance of going to the origins of the Church in order to "rediscover the joy of the Gospel". 

A pilgrimage to the wellsprings

His Holiness Pope Francis asked for prayers from all as he prepares for this "pilgrimage to the wellsprings". His meetings with the people will help "quench" his thirst at the "wellsprings of fraternity", he said, which are very important as the Church has embarked upon its universal synodal journey. The "synodal grace" will include fraternal visits with their Beatitudes Chrysostomos and Hieronymos, heads of the local Orthodox Churches. The Pope expressed his gratitude, "as a brother in the faith", for the grace to be received by them and to meet "in the name of the Lord of Peace".

He addressed, too, the "small flocks" of Catholics in those lands, saying he is looking forward to sharing his affection with them and bringing them "the encouragement of the whole Catholic Church".

This message was originally published on Vatican News website. Please click here to read the full text.