Benedict XVI greeted them joyfully during the audience of 9 February: “I am glad for the opportunity you have been offered to compare ecclesial experiences from different areas of the world, and I hope these days of prayer and reflection bear many abundant fruits for your communities.”

Their reflections were conducted within “the light of the charism of Chiara Lubich,” as Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, moderator of the gathering, said in his opening remarks, “which is in deep harmony with the charism of the bishop.” He went on to say: “It’s a matter of knowing how to accept the Love of God who wants the good of humankind as He draws near to every human person.”

“The spirituality of communion, an echo of the Second Vatican Council which is all centered on the Church as a mystery of communion. . . is brought forward in a charismatic way by the Focolare Movement,” underscored Cardinal Marc Oullet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Before the challenges that the Church is facing today especially in lands with ancient Christian traditions, but also in many other parts of the world, the bishops wanted to give voice to the answers the Holy Spirit has generated in recent years, like the communion and the collaboration between new and ancient charisms, the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, the dialogue with the so-called secular culture.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, highlighted the passage from a multicultural society to an intercultural one which integrates the diverse cultures and faiths, as is shown by the launching of the recent “Court of the Gentiles,” a phrase coined by Benedict XVI in reference to the dialogue between faith and culture. The roundtable discussion which preceded Cardinal Ravasi’s presentation related the various dynamics present in modern society, seen from the perspective of the economy (Dr Stefano Zamagni), of mysticism (Father Fabio Ciardi), of social relations (Dr Vera Araujo) and international relations (Dr Vincenzo Buonomo).

Maria Voce, president of the Focolare Movement focused her presentation on God’s Plans in the Thought of Chiara Lubich, which was in line with the theme of the gathering.

At the conclusion of the meeting, 25 bishops went for two days to the international Focolare town of Loppiano, near Florence, which, with its 900 inhabitants witnesses that society can be guided by the Gospel. Among other places, they visited Sophia University Institute which is already in its third year of interdisciplinary courses.