THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

Pope Francis' first Apostolic Exhortation has been published: the Exhortation has five chapters of which the first one is "the missionary transformation of the Church". The Holy Father Francis asks the faithful the "courage" to find new signs and new symbols in a new flesh for the transmission of the Word.

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church's journey in years to come.

I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since "no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord".

Read the Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" - THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL