By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis has extended his blessings to participants of the second National Eucharistic Congress in Rwanda, held from December 4-8. In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope addressed Bishop Vincent Harolimana of Ruhengeri, who serves as the delegate of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR) for Eucharistic Congresses.
The Pope expressed his joy and gratitude, joining the Christian faithful of Rwanda in celebrating the event. The congress, themed “Let us fix our gaze on Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist: a source of hope, fraternity, and peace,” emphasized the Eucharist as the “center of all Christian life” and a profound sign of Christ’s love for humanity.
Pope Francis highlighted the Eucharist’s transformative power, encouraging believers to embody this love by working together to build a “civilization of love.” He described the Eucharist as a source of mission, fraternity, and hope, urging the faithful to address humanity’s various “hungers,” including the hunger for meaning.
In light of Rwanda’s upcoming Jubilee and the 125th anniversary of its evangelization, the Pope called for a renewed focus on “Christ, the bread of life.” He urged solidarity with vulnerable populations and emphasized the need for Christians to be “tangible signs of hope,” echoing the Holy Year’s message of Spes non confundit (Hope does not disappoint).
Concluding his message, Pope Francis reminded participants of the Eucharist’s relational nature, which fosters a sense of community over isolation. He encouraged Catholics to break down barriers of race, language, and cultural tradition, living out the Eucharist as a shared responsibility for both the physical and spiritual needs of humanity.
