Pope praises missionary to China

Ven Matteo Ricci

Source: Vatican News

During his General Audience today, with pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis praised the apostolic zeal of Venerable Matteo Ricci, one of the early Jesuit missionaries to the Far East.

"His love for the Chinese people is a model; but what is a very timely one, is his consistency of life, his Christian witness. He brought Christianity to China..."Pope Francis said.

The Pope praised Ricci's excellence in various areas, but stressed his greatness, above all, lies in his being "consistent with his vocation, consistent with that desire to follow Jesus Christ."

Last week, Pope Francis praised St Andrew Kim Taegon, the first native priest of Korea and a martyr for the faith, who dreamed of reaching China, but was not able to fulfill that dream. This week, instead, he spoke of Ricci who did.

Reflecting on the saint to the thousands of faithful in the Square, the Pope remembered how originally from Macerata, in Italy's Marche region, Ricci studied in Jesuit schools and having himself entered the Society of Jesus. Enthused by the reports of missionaries, like many of his young companions, he asked to be sent to the missions in the Far East.

Father Ricci would go to China, and patiently master the difficult Chinese language, immersing himself in the country's culture. It would take 18 years, and unshakeable faith, to arrive in Peking, the Pope said, overcoming frequent mistrust and opposition.

Thanks to his writings in Chinese and his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, the Jesuit Pope observed, Matteo Ricci became known and respected "as a sage and scholar."

His vast learning and ability to engage in sincere and respectful dialogue, the Holy Father explained, were employed in the service of the Gospel. "This opened many doors to him," the Pope said.

Ricci, he noted, made the Gospel known not only in his writings, but by his example of religious life, prayer and virtue.

In this way, the Pope suggested, Ricci attracted many of his Chinese disciples and friends to embrace the Catholic faith.

Matteo Ricci died in Peking in 1610, at the age of 57, the Pope said, "dedicating his whole life to mission." Ricci was the first foreigner permitted by the Emperor to be buried on Chinese soil.

The Pope praised the strong prayer life of Ricci which propelled all his work, and that animates the life of missionaries.

Consistency and closeness to Christ, through prayer, the Pope said, is one of the greatest characteristics of the great missionaries, before inviting the faithful to ask themselves whether they are consistent in their Christian faith.

"Brothers and sisters, today we, each one of us, ask ourselves, within: 'Am I consistent, or am I a little so-so?'"

Watch today's General Audience on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIEpoh9dlc

Read the official text of the Pope's reflection: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/05/31/230531a.html