Dear brothers in the Episcopate,

Dear priests, men and women religious,

Dear sisters and brothers in the Lord!

I would have liked to be here with you in person to share this moment of faith and communion, but due to my convalescence, I am joining with you spiritually, thanking you from my heart for your prayers.

I affectionately greet those of you who have come from the Czech Republic to Rome to carry out the national pilgrimage in this Jubilee year. I gratefully greet the president of the Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Jan Graubner, all the bishops present, the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful. Your journey is a concrete sign of your desire to renew your faith, to confirm your bond with the Successor of Peter and to profess joyfully your adhesion to the Lord, who always walks with us, who supports us in trials, and calls us to be witnesses of His peace and His love. He is faithful to His promises, and so hope never disappoints! (Cf. Rm 5:5; Bull Spes non confundit).

Your journey of faith is part of the rich Christian tradition of your land, enlightened by the witness of Saints Adalbert, Cyril and Methodius, and many others. They brought the light of the Gospel with courage and patience, even in places where it seemed impossible. Their example teaches us that the Christian mission is not based on visible results, but on fidelity to God. We too are called to proclaim the Gospel with confidence, without fearing difficulties and obstacles. Saint Paul reminds us that “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). Our task is to sow and water with love and perseverance, without being discouraged.

God asks us to offer the little we are and that we have. Let us think of those five loaves and two fishes: in the hands of Jesus, they become abundant nourishment for a multitude (cf. Mt 14:13-21). The same also happens with our commitment in faith: if we entrust ourselves to the Lord with a generous heart, He will multiply it and make it bear fruit in ways we cannot even imagine. Therefore, we must never lose faith. God works even when we do not immediately see the effects. The history of your saints teaches us this: think of the perseverance of John of Nepomuk and so many other witnesses to the faith in your land. Their lives show us that those who trust in God are never abandoned, even in times of trial, such as those of persecution.

Let us walk together, pastors and people, on this beautiful path of faith. Let us support one another and become, by our life, witnesses of peace and hope in a world so in need of it, even in Europe. Our faith is not only for us, but rather is a gift to be shared with joy.

I entrust your pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, so that you may be strengthened in faith, hope and charity. I bless you and your people from my heart. And I ask you, please, to pray for me.

From the Vatican, 26 March 2025

FRANCIS

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 29 March 2025