Nuncios must be aware of the different faces of danger that threaten their flocks, Francis said, and pointed to the situation of Christians in the Middle East, noting that "the violent siege seems to aim, with the complicit silence of many, toward their eradication."
He highlighted the importance of going to the root of the problem, saying "it's good to have the eyes opened to recognize where hostilities come from and to discern the possible paths to counter their causes and tackle their pitfalls."
Closeness and fraternity with local bishops is something the Pope also pointed to as essential to a nuncio's mission. "To be ready and happy to spend (sometimes even lose) time with bishops, priests, religious, parishes, cultural and social institutions," he said, is ultimately "the job of a nuncio."
To be close and available to the local Churches doesn't consist of "a supine strategy to collect information and manipulate reality or people," but rather of an attitude "that befits one who is not only a career diplomat, nor merely an instrument of Peter's concern, but a pastor gifted the interior ability to bear witness to Jesus Christ."
While it can be natural and understandable in their work, Francis told the nuncios to "overcome the logic of bureaucracy which can often impede your work, rendering one closed, indifferent and impenetrable."
He encouraged his ambassadors to make sure the apostolic nunciature is truly the "Pope's home" and a constant reference point where both faithful and public authorities can come for support and advice, not just diplomatic functions.
"Make sure that your nunciature never becomes a refuge for 'friends and friends of friends,'" he said, telling them to "flee from gossip and careerists."
The Pope also warned his nuncios against endorsing political or ideological battles, because "the Church's permanence is not based on the consent of living rooms or squares, but on fidelity to the Lord."
The Church's true source of power flows from God's mercy, he said, adding that "we have no right to deprive the world, the diplomatic forum and large areas of international discussion of this wealth that no one else can give."
Awareness of this fact allows the Church to become the prophetic voice of the marginalized, he said, asking "may their cry become our cry and together we can break the barrier of indifference that often reigns to hide hypocrisy and selfishness."
Francis told the nuncios that in order to accompany their people, they have "to move," and encouraged them to visit dioceses, religious institutes, parishes and seminaries in order to understand how the people live and think, and which questions they ask.
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He told the nuncios to be "a true expression of an outgoing Church, or a 'field hospital'" capable of being part of the local Church, country or institution to which they have been sent.
Pope Francis urged the nuncios to be close to local bishops and encourage their ideas, adding that "vague priorities and theoretical pastoral programs are not enough. You need to focus on the concrete reality of the present, of the company, of proximity, of accompanying."
He said that one of his great concerns is the selection of good bishops, and voiced his hope that bishops would be pastors, "and not principals or officials. Please!"
Acknowledging that the speed of our times demands constant training and updating, Francis said the current challenges we face are big ones, and papal diplomacy must be involved and make "mercy palpable in this crushed and wounded world."
While the Church shouldn't underestimate the extent of current problems, she is also called to look ahead, and not focus on the need for immediate results, he said.
"There will always be that tension between fullness and limits, but it's not useful to the Church to worry about spaces of power and of self-affirmation, but rather to make born and grow the seed of good, patiently accompanying its development," he said.