Pope Francis receives the International Responsible Team of the Neocatechumenal Way

This morning, June 3, 2022, Pope Francis received Kiko Argüello, initiator of the Neocatechumenal Way, accompanied by Father Mario Pezzi and Mrs. Ascension Romero in a private audience

The meeting took place, as on other occasions, in a very cordial atmosphere. The main reason for the audience was the request to the Holy Father to send new families on mission in an audience, an invitation that the Pope welcomed with joy and which will take place on June 27, after the World Meeting of Families, at 12:00 noon in the Paul VI Hall.

The Pope showed interest in the situation and the places where these families will have to go, especially the situation of the families in Ukraine. He was also interested in the situation of the Way in Argentina.

Kiko introduced to the Holy Father the question of the Seminary for Asia, which depends on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and is entrusted to the Way, which the Pope wanted and of which the first three years have been completed. The Holy Father was pleased with the end of the “ad experimentum” period of the Redemptoris Mater Missionary College for Asia, in particular the forthcoming ordination to the diaconate of the first two candidates, and consequently established the definitive constitution of the same.

Kiko informed the Pope of the next world meeting of itinerants, which will take place at the International Center of Porto San Giorgio, where the leaders of 135 nations where the Way is present will gather.

In preparation for the sending of families by the Pope, there will be a gathering of families willing to go out to the whole world, wherever the Bishops have asked them to do so.

At the end of the meeting, Kiko gave the Pope a copy of the icon of Pentecost, painted by him, together with the hymn to the Holy Spirit, composed by Kiko.