Vatican City, Sep 12, 2019 / 13:01 pm
As Pope Francis met Thursday with bishops ordained in the past year, he urged them to make time for an intimate relationship with God and for pastoral visits to people they serve.
"We need bishops capable of feeling the heartbeat of their communities and their priests, even from a distance: feel the pulse," Pope Francis advised Sept. 12.
The pope urged "real availability" in the life of a bishop, pointing to the example of the Good Samaritan, who saw a need and did not look the other way.
"Stay in contact with people. Dedicate time to them more than at the desk. Don't fear contact with reality," he said.