10 years of the Pontificate of Pope Francis and the Charismatic Renewal
Pope Francis’ affection and esteem for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is well known. Already as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and then as Pope of the Catholic Church, he has expressed himself several times with decision and clarity: “the Renewal is not a movement… it is a current of grace, a renewing breath of the Spirit for all members of the Church, laity, religious, priests and bishops” (3 July 2015) …. “was willed by the Holy Spirit to be «a current of grace in the Church and for the Church»” (1 June 2014).
The most courageous and prophetic gesture was the creation of CHARIS as a public body, desired for the unity of the whole Catholic Charismatic Renewal. In this way, the Charismatic Renewal was placed at the very heart of the Church.
Pope Francis is especially concerned with the ecumenical dimension, with the search for unity. That is why he exhorts: “Do not forget your origins, do not forget that the Charismatic Renewal is, by its very nature, ecumenical” (31 October 2014).
“The Charismatic Renewal is a great force meant to serve the preaching of the Gospel in the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
Olympic Stadium, 1 June 2014
“Today, I ask you, in this retreat, to be pastors with the compassion of God.”
Third World Retreat for Priests, 12 June 2015
“Share the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with everyone in the Church.”
Circus Maximus, 3 June 2017
“Members of the Charismatic Renewal, as a current of the grace of the Holy Spirit, be witnesses of this love!”
Inauguration of CHARIS – Paul VI Hall, 8 June 2019
