In his message, the Pope emphasized the themes of hope, fraternity, and peace, all conveyed through the Eucharist.
The event, which attracted thousands of participants including clergy, religious, and lay faithful from both Rwanda and beyond, provided an opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal.
The message, which was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, was addressed to Bishop Vincent Harolimana, Bishop of Ruhengeri and delegate of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR) for the Eucharistic Congresses.
In his message, Pope Francis joined the faithful in Rwanda in their "joy" and "thanksgiving," celebrating the significance of the event.
Reflecting on the conference's theme, "Let us fix our gaze on Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist: a source of hope, fraternity, and peace," he described Communion as the "centre of all Christian life" and a "tangible sign of Christ's love for humanity."
The Pope encouraged the faithful to live out this message by embracing the call to "give ourselves to others," fostering collaboration to "build a civilisation of love."
He further underscored the Eucharist's role in inspiring Catholics to become missionaries of fraternity and hope, emphasizing the need to address the various "hungers" humanity faces, particularly the "hunger for meaning."
Looking ahead to the 125th anniversary of Rwanda's evangelisation and the upcoming Jubilee, Pope Francis urged the faithful to turn to "Christ, the bread of life," and extend solidarity to those in vulnerable situations.
"We must be tangible signs of hope," he reminded them, echoing the message of the Bull of Indiction for the Holy Year.
In his conclusion, Pope Francis highlighted the shared responsibility the Eucharist calls for, not only in responding to humanity's physical needs but also in nurturing a spiritual hope "in the triune God."
He stressed that the Eucharist's nature is "essentially relational," inviting people to live "in community" and break down barriers of "race, language, or cultural tradition."
IGIHE
