Fr. Cristóbal Fones SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, recently conducted a pastoral visit to various cities in the United States. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen the mission of this pontifical work, consolidate ecclesial ties, and expand its presence across pastoral, educational, and communication sectors.
The visit began in Miami, where he held meetings aimed at increasing the visibility of the Network and its service to the universal Church. During this stay, he gave an interview to Radio Paz (a station that collaborates in broadcasting “The Pope’s Audio” in Spanish) and led a prayer through song at a local parish, promoting the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus within broader parish environments.
In Washington, D.C., Fr. Fones met with Fr. Phillip Hurley SJ, National Director of the Network in the U.S. and Continental Coordinator for North America, to review the mission’s development in the country. He also visited the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), where he presented the work and discussed various pastoral initiatives related to praying for the Pope’s intentions, consecration to the Heart of Jesus, and collaboration in national catechesis. During this stage, he also met with leaders of the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM) and representatives of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (JCCU), strengthening apostolic coordination in the region.
The journey continued to New York, where ties with Catholic media were promoted, including the recording of content for America Media focused on the Network’s mission and the Holy Father’s prayer intentions. In this context, they met with the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese, Most Rev. Joseph Espaillat, to discuss the mission’s focus on youth and the intercessory dimension of prayer.
Subsequently, the trip proceeded to Chicago, with stops at Walsh Jesuit High School and the University of Notre Dame. Discussions there centered on spiritual formation, the promotion of devotion to the Heart of Jesus, and musical initiatives dedicated to prayer. These moments allowed for a deeper exploration of the formative and cultural dimensions of the mission.
In Milwaukee, the agenda included prayer through song and liturgical celebrations. These featured an Ash Wednesday Mass with high school students in the morning and another with the community of St. Rose of Lima Parish in the evening. The main event was a gathering organized by the U.S. National Office of the Prayer Network to present the mission to collaborators and friends, strengthening communion and commitment to this pontifical work.
The final stage of the journey took place in Los Angeles, CA, during the Archdiocese’s Religious Education Congress. There, the International Director offered workshops on song as a spiritual language and on discernment, integrating the spiritual proposal of the nto both sessions. He also participated in musical activities and gave interviews to media outlets that collaborate in spreading the “Pray with the Pope“ campaign.
Throughout his visit, the International Director also held several meetings focused on the institutional strengthening and economic sustainability of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Vatican Foundation. These encounters sought to build alliances and expand collaboration with individuals and institutions interested in supporting the global development of this pontifical work.
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