The Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa took part in the opening session of the Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) underway at Khanya House in Pretoria, the Conference headquarters.

In his address to the bishops gathered under the theme “Synodality and Mission,” Archbishop Henryk M. Jagodziński conveyed “cordial greetings and the assurance of spiritual closeness” from Pope Leo XIV, noting the Holy Father’s “profound pastoral concern” for the life and mission of the Church in Southern Africa.

Archbishop Jagodziński underlined that synodality and mission lie at the heart of the Petrine ministry of Pope Leo XIV. “The Church does not exist for itself,” he said, recalling the Pope’s consistent call for a missionary Church that goes out to the margins and bears witness to the transforming power of the Gospel in every culture and context.

The Apostolic Nuncio invited the bishops to reflect on recent events that have shaped the life of the universal Church, including the death of Pope Francis, whose pontificate, he said, left “an enduring mark on the history of the Church and of humanity,” particularly through his closeness to Africa and his tireless commitment to the poor, peace, and reconciliation. He also spoke of the election of Pope Leo XIV, received with hope by the faithful worldwide, and marked from the outset by a call to unity, dialogue, justice, and peace.

Recalling the recent visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Vatican, Archbishop Jagodziński noted its historic importance, being only the second official meeting between a South African President and a Pope, after President Nelson Mandela visited Saint John Paul II in 1998. He also recalled that Saint John Paul II remains the only Pope to have visited South Africa, a sign of the enduring bond between the Successor of Peter and the people of the country.

The Nuncio highlighted the significance of President Ramaphosa’s public invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit South Africa, describing it as an expression of the “deep hope of the Catholic community” and an encouragement to work patiently towards such a pastoral visit.

Turning to the theme of the Assembly, Archbishop Jagodziński recalled the words of Pope Leo XIV at the opening of a synodal encounter in Rome: “The first thing I want to say to everyone is mission, the proclamation of the Gospel.” These words, he said, define the true horizon of synodality.

Synodality, the Nuncio explained, is not a parliamentary process or a restructuring of authority, but “a style, an attitude, a way of being Church,” rooted in listening to the Word of God, to the Holy Spirit, and to one another. Authentic synodality, he added, respects cultural realities and pastoral contexts: “Unity does not require uniformity.”

Archbishop Jagodziński spoke with appreciation of Africa as a gift to the universal Church, highlighting its youthful population, strong sense of family, and vibrant faith communities. The Church in Southern Africa, he said, has a vital role in accompanying young people and families through living communities of prayer, service, and witness.

Addressing concerns that synodality might weaken episcopal authority, the Apostolic Nuncio stressed that Pope Leo XIV has been clear: synodality “does not diminish authority; it purifies and deepens it.” In the Church, he said, authority is always service, not domination, and is exercised in humility and communion.

He also reaffirmed the Holy Father’s emphasis on continuity and fidelity in doctrine, particularly regarding the dignity of human life, marriage, and family. Synodality, he noted, does not mean changing doctrine by popular demand, but calls for “a conversion of attitudes” marked by charity, listening, and authentic witness.

Concluding his address, Archbishop Jagodziński reminded the bishops that synodality and evangelisation are inseparable. “A synodal Church that does not proclaim Christ loses its soul; a missionary Church that does not walk together risks losing communion,” he said.

Entrusting the work of the Plenary Session to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostolic Nuncio invoked God’s gifts of wisdom, courage, and peace upon the bishops, praying that the Church in Southern Africa may continue to bear joyful witness to the unity and charity of the Gospel.

Accompanying the Apostolic Nuncio was the Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, Monsignor Giacomo Antonicelli.