Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I send cordial greetings to all of you participating in the Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in Jakarta. As you gather to discuss the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia, I assure you of my spiritual closeness, praying that the Holy Spirit will inspire and guide your time together.

The theme chosen for your Plenary Assembly comes from the words of Jesus telling Nathanael: “You will see greater things” (Jn 1:50). In calling Philip and Nathanael to follow him and become his disciples, our Lord alludes to himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity (cf. Jn 1:51). 

As his disciples today, we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another. Indeed, in the recently published Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, I wrote that Christian solidarity finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist (cf. n. 88). For this reason, I would like to encourage you to continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity grounded in the charity that flows from the gift of our Lord in the Eucharist. In this way, it is my hope that the bonds of communion within and between the local Churches will be strengthened and become an ever greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries, which in turn will help you be bridge-builders together throughout Asia.

Dear friends, in commending all of you and your deliberations to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, I gladly invoke upon you the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude.

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen.