By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis has expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing G7 forum in Italy, highlighting the role of missionaries in promoting development in Africa. The event, titled “Education for Development in Africa: The Role of Missions,” is being held in Pescara as part of Italy’s G7 presidency and runs from October 22 to 24.
In a letter addressed to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Pope commended the initiative, stating that he hoped the forum would “strengthen the values of solidarity and humanitarian commitment for those who champion the cause of the least.” The letter, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, also encouraged attendees to continue fostering a “culture of encounter, open to respectful dialogue, as true witnesses of the living Gospel of charity.”
The event began on Wednesday with the reading of the Pope’s message by Davide Dionisi, Italy’s government envoy for religious freedom. Following this, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani delivered an address, alongside Italian bishops and notable figures such as Pakistan-born professor Shahid Mobeen and Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land.
A key focus of the gathering was a series of testimonies from missionary organizations actively involved in educational projects in Africa, illustrating their vital role in fostering development and social progress across the continent. Pope Francis’s message underscores the importance of missionaries in promoting both education and humanitarian efforts, and he sees the G7 forum as a valuable opportunity to reinforce global solidarity.
