Vatican City, May 28, 2017 / 03:21 am
On the Feast of the Ascension, Pope Francis said that when Jesus rose into heaven, he entrusted his Church with the great and dignified responsibility of spreading his Word and making it accessible to everyone.
In addition to signaling the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus' Ascension reminds us of his constant assistance and that of his Spirit, "who gives strength and security to our Christian witness in the world," the Pope said May 28.
The Holy Spirit "reveals to us why the Church exists: she exists to announce the Gospel" he said. "Only for that. And also, the joy of the Church is to announce the Gospel."
Francis said the Church includes all faithful that have been baptized, who today "are invited to better understand that God has given us the great dignity and responsibility of announcing it to the world, of making it accessible to humanity."