Pope Francis forwarded the following message to Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, for the Australian Catholic Community, on the occasion of the inauguration of the 2020 Plenary Council.
I extend cordial greetings and prayerful good wishes as the Catholic community in Australia joins in prayer this Pentecost Sunday to launch the immediate preparations for the forthcoming 2020 Plenary Council. Upon all taking part in the prepatory process, I invoke the Holy Spirit's gifts of wisdom, harmony and opennes to the Lord's will for the future of his pilgim Church in the country. It is my hope that through patient dialogue and faith-filled discernment, the conciliar journey will confirm the Catholics in Australia in a spirit of fraternal unity and missionary discipleship, thus enabling them to be a leaven of holiness, justice and reconciliation in today's rapidly changing society. As a pledge of the sustaning grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.
FRANCISCUS PP.