Pope Francis visits Evangelical church

Pope Francis made his way back to Caserta, less than 48 hours after his first trip there, to meet with his friend Pastor Giovanni Traettino. His voice breaking with emotion, Giovanni Traettino, a Pentecostal pastor in southern Italy , welcomed the pope, "my beloved brother," to his partially built church. But he wasn't the only one looking forward to his visit. Dozens of members from the Pentecostal Church of the Reconciliation greeted Pope Francis very affectionately.

During a brief audience at the Church, Traettino led the Pope and his congregation in reciting the Lord's Prayer, together. After a brief song, Pope Francis addressed the group. He talked to them about God's first commandment to Abraham, to go and walk before Him. Pope Francis said he knows some people were shocked that he would make a special trip outside of Rome to visit a group of Pentecostals, "but I went to visit my friends." The pastor assured the Pope: “Many of us pray for you, every day. Many of us, in fact, believe your election as bishop of Rome was the work of the Holy Spirit." Pope Francis told the Pentecostals that "the Holy Spirit is the source of diversity in the church. This diversity is very rich and beautiful. But then the same Holy Spirit creates unity. And in this way the church is one in diversity. To use a beautiful Gospel phrase that I love very much, reconciled diversity." The Pope also asked forgiveness for the actions of some Catholics who denounced Pentecostals during the Fascist period.

Following his brief audience with the Pentecostal congregation, the group recited the Lord's Prayer again. He then had lunch with the entire group at the Church, before heading back to the Vatican, ending his private visit.

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