The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has unveiled the Indian edition of Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), in a ceremony held at the Archbishop’s House in New Delhi on Sunday.
Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Secretary-General of the CCBI, led the official release on Sunday, with key figures from the Catholic community, including Fr. Stephen Alathara, Fr. Mathew Koyickal, Sr. Rahil Lakra, Mr. Nihal Pedric, and Mr. Nigel Fernandes, present to mark the occasion.
Dilexit Nos, issued by Pope Francis on Oct. 24, commemorates the 350th anniversary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus’ apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, an event celebrated by the Catholic Church as a testament to Christ’s enduring love for humanity.
The encyclical calls on the faithful to delve into the heart of Christ, which Pope Francis describes as embodying the tangible, transformative nature of God’s love—a love that is deeply embedded in the realities of everyday life, both in times of struggle and in moments of quiet contemplation.
The encyclical urges Christians to find inspiration in the heart of Christ as a universal model of spirituality that transcends boundaries, fostering a faith rooted in compassion, accessibility, and relevance to daily life.
Archbishop Couto highlighted the significance of Pope Francis’ message for India, emphasizing how it resonates with the country’s diverse cultural landscape and the need for inclusivity in spiritual practice.
Copies of the Indian edition of Dilexit Nos are available through CCBI Publications. Interested parties may contact the CCBI at ccbipublications@gmail.com or via mobile at 9886730224.
According to the CCBI General Secretariat, the release of this edition is expected to bring Pope Francis’ message closer to the Indian Catholic community, “enriching their spiritual journey with a focus on the universal and intimate nature of divine love”.
