More than 300 Catholics from Vietnam and abroad joined an online conference on Pope Francis’ 2025 Mission Message, held on Saturday via a virtual platform.
The event was jointly organized by the International Pontifical Mission Union (PMU) and the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Vietnam (PMS-VN).
Participants included priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful from various dioceses and religious congregations.
The two-hour program was divided into three parts, offering time for reflection and discussion on the papal message.
Fr. Thomas Nguyễn Đình Anh Nhuệ, Secretary General of the International PMU, presented an overview of the message, which Pope Francis wrote on January 25, just months before his death on April 21.
Organizers described it as a “missionary testament” and a valuable legacy for the Church.
Fr. Nhuệ underlined the central theme that all Christians are called to be “missionaries of hope among the nations.”
He highlighted the Church as a “community of missionary disciples” and stressed the importance of active participation in evangelization, regardless of age or social standing.
The conference also featured a summary by Fr. Jerome Nguyễn Đình Công, Director of PMS Vietnam, linking the 2025 message with Pope Francis’ earlier messages, including one from 2022.
Fr. Dominic Ngô Quang Tuyên of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam contributed additional reflections.
The final portion was opened for participants to share their insights and questions, creating an atmosphere of dialogue and engagement.
Organizers said the exchanges reflected the vitality of the message in the daily life of the faithful.
The Vietnamese PMS Office holds at least three such conferences each year. The next session on the Mission Message is scheduled for September 13, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (Vietnam time).
