DALTON—Pope Francis sent a message of prayerful support and his blessing to Catholics and Lutherans assembling in north Georgia on Monday evening, Oct. 31, during the pope’s journey to Sweden for the Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory was to give the sermon at the Reformation Day service at Christ the King Lutheran Church, in Dalton. Pastors of two Lutheran churches from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Father Paul Williams, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Dalton, and Father Mike Creson, of Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga, were to attend.

The message from Pope Francis was sent to Archbishop Gregory by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, through the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis “asks you kindly to convey to all assembled his cordial greetings, together with his prayerful good wishes that the event will contribute to a more effective common witness to the Gospel and its promise of healing, hope and renewal for individuals and entire communities,” the cardinal wrote.

“Upon all present His Holiness invokes the Lord’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace,” he said.

Pope Francis is on an apostolic journey to Sweden for the commemoration with leaders of the Lutheran World Federation. The journey commences a year of activities leading to the 500th anniversary in 2017 of Martin Luther’s efforts to reform the church.

The full text of the letter follows.

To Most Reverend Wilton Gregory
Archdiocese of Atlanta

The Holy Father was pleased to learn that this year you will speak at the Reformation Day Service sponsored by the Chattanooga area Lutheran Deanery, to be held concurrently with his Apostolic Journey to Sweden for the Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. He asks you kindly to convey to all assembled his cordial greetings, together with his prayerful good wishes that the event will contribute to a more effective common witness to the Gospel and its promise of healing, hope and renewal for individuals and entire communities. Upon all present His Holiness invokes the Lord’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State