Bishop Solis: Ad limina audience 'a great blessing'

CNS photo/Vatican Media

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Pope Francis greets Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Salt Lake City, during an audience with U.S. bishops making their 'ad limina' visits to the Vatican Feb. 10. Bishops from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming were making their 'ad limina' visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses.

I am so happy to share with you the exciting and very moving experience of my recent trip to Rome. I was there with my brother bishops from the dioceses of Region XIII (New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming and Utah) for the Ad Limina (“to the threshold of the apostles).

Normally every five years, bishops from all over the world meet the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ on earth, to report the status of our dioceses. It is not just an official visit but a pilgrimage as well. Our trip included celebrating Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter (under St. Peter’s Basilica), prayer and, most importantly, we made our profession of faith. We also celebrated special Masses in the other major basilicas in Rome: St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Maria Maggiore. In addition, we met with the Curia and heads of other Vatican offices. All in all, it was a way of renewing our union with the Vicar of Christ and the Universal Church.

The highlight of my ad limina visit was the private audience with Pope Francis on Feb. 10 for two and a half hours. He has the heart of a shepherd who cares for us bishops. He was interested to know how we are doing and about our dioceses. He welcomed us with warm hospitality and friendship. Our conversation with him was casual yet deep as he talked to us from his heart. There was openness as he told us that we could ask him any question. I was impressed when he told us we were free to even criticize him, but smilingly, told us to do it there, not outside.

We had a free exchange of information and ideas as he listened attentively. What struck me was that after our questions, he paused and reflected for a moment before giving us his answers or thoughts. He spoke to us profoundly but also with humor, sometimes quoting Scripture or the Doctors of the Church. After talking with him, I felt he truly cares for us bishops just as he cares for the people of God. I felt truly affirmed and strengthened by his support.

Pope Francis also asked about our concerns and pastoral challenges such as the sexual abuse crisis, the role of women in the Church, polarization and division in society, the culture of “ideology” – leanings of the right and the left. He told us to value and welcome differences and diversity of opinions. We do not have to think alike, he said, and in spite of differences we must treat each other with love and respect.

We were in Rome just before Pope Francis’ post-synodal document “Querida Amazonia” (Beloved Amazon) was released. He explained to us that the document is about ecological, cultural, evangelization and social justice issues. He warned us that these will be overlooked by others and many, especially the media, will focus only on two sentences: the issues of married priests and women deacons. Sure enough, he was right.  

I spoke to Pope Francis about the particular circumstances of our diocese: the growing Catholic population due to the influx of Hispanic immigrants, refugees and other people from out of state who come to Utah for work. I shared with him the challenge of the large geographic region served by few priests and religious, as well as our limited financial resources. I also mentioned the importance of our Catholic schools or education and concern for the youth and young adults who are leaving the Church, especially the “nones” who have no religious affiliation. Pope Francis, speaking like a father, urged us to accompany them, be with them, pray for them and to not lose hope. He said, “Help them experience the presence of God in their lives.”

In light of this, he reminded us of the missionary character of the Church, with emphasis on evangelization to overcome that “maintenance mode.” He said that we must go out, be with the people and accompany them in their faith journey. Pope Francis urged us bishops to develop closeness with God, with brother bishops and priests, and the lay people.

After days of meetings in the Vatican, I joined 70 pilgrims from Utah in their pilgrimage tour during their last five days in Rome. They were able to go to the Wednesday papal audience to see Pope Francis, attend Sunday Mass at St. Peter Basilica and a private Mass at the side chapel of St. Joseph, and take a walking tour of some of the city’s attractions, plus a long day trip to Florence and a farewell party before we flew back together to Utah.

The audience with the Holy Father was truly a great blessing. I felt inspired by our visit and wonderful conversation with Pope Francis, and reinvigorated by the sense of affirmation that he gave us. We bishops also spent precious time eating, talking, laughing and praying together. My trip to Rome was a special moment and an opportunity for my brother bishops and me to renew our identity as bishops, follow the footsteps of St. Peter and St. Paul, rededicate ourselves to Christ’s mission and follow him to preach the Gospel to the world and tend the flock under our pastoral care.