This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience some Vietnamese residents of the United States, benefactors of the missionary and charitable works of the Church, to whom he addressed the following greeting:

Greeting of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to greet you during your pilgrimage to Rome, which occurs only a few days before the opening of the Holy Door marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year. It is my desire that this time will enable all the faithful to have a genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ whom we must proclaim always, everywhere and to all as our hope (cf. Spes Non Confundit, 1). Your commitment to supporting the missionary and charitable works of the universal Church is a concrete expression of this proclamation, and will help to bring the hope born of the Gospel to many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the world.

From Apostolic times, members of the Body of Christ have supported one another with their resources (cf. 2 Cor 8:1-15). Your solidarity with the poor and those on the peripheries of society reflects the Lord’s command to care for the least among us, and, as Saint Paul reminds us, it is important that such assistance be given with a cheerful heart (cf. 2 Cor 9:7) and a smile. I pray that your almsgiving will continue to be offered with a joyful spirit and that your sacrifices will bear fruit in the lives of our brothers and sisters who in this way can experience the tender love and compassion of Christ. A hallmark of many Catholics who have immigrated to the United States from Vietnam is the strong faith that they brought with them, which I am confident inspires your desire to assist Christian communities in lands far from your own.

With these sentiments, I wish you a fruitful visit to the Eternal City, which has welcomed the faithful for nearly two millennia who have come to visit the tombs of the Apostles and other holy sites. May your journey serve to renew your faith as well as strengthen you in charity. I willingly impart my blessing to you and your families, and I ask you please, not to forget to pray for me. Thank you!