The International Conference of the International Forum of Catholic Action (FIAC/IFCA) opened with the prayer Veni Sancte Spiritus, led by Mgr. Claudio Giuliodori, followed by a series of greetings addressed to all participants.
Giuseppe Notarstefano, National President of Italian Catholic Action, greeted the delegates from the 30 member countries and observers of the FIAC. His words expressed the gratitude of Italian Catholic Action, the host association, and its commitment to fostering a genuine spirit of encounter among the lay faithful who, in every part of the world, live the experience of Catholic Action.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, sent a message, read by Alessandro Mammarella on behalf of the Dicastery. In his message, Cardinal Farrell reaffirmed that synodality is not a theory, but a living leaven for mission.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, sent a video message from the Holy Land to the participants, in which he expressed the hope that they would be a leaven of synodality, and thanked the members of Catholic Action for the solidarity shown to the people of the Holy Land.
