Johannesburg, 27 November, 2024 / 7:01 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the youth ministry at the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC), which includes South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini, have written to Pope Francis, expressing their gratitude to the Holy Father for his leadership as the Vicar of Christ over the past 11 years.
In the letter, SACBC Youth and Young Adults Chairperson Lesego Zikhali conveyed the sentiments of young people in the region to the 266th Pontiff of the Catholic Church saying that his “teachings are immensely powerful.”
“We are writing this love letter to you, to show our gratitude to you, for being our Father for the past 11 years of your ministry as the Vicar of Christ,” the youths said in the letter dated Sunday, November 24, adding, “Your teachings are immensely powerful.”
They emphasized how Pope Francis had inspired them to live as true ambassadors of Christ, saying “You have helped us to see Christ in others to proclaim good news to the captive.” They also noted how the Holy Father’s example of humility had motivated them to serve others with kindness and creativity.
The youths said that their devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Blessed Benedict Daswa, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Bosco is the secret behind their “excessive growth”.
