Chronicle of the Meeting on Evangelii Gaudium: The “Church Going Forth” — Reception and Perspectives

Abstract

This report presents the proceedings and main contributions of the international meeting “The Church Going Forth: Reception and Perspectives of Evangelii Gaudium”, held in Rome from 28 to 30 November 2019 and organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. The meeting brought together more than one thousand participants from 65 countries to reflect on the pastoral reception of the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium six years after its publication. Through presentations, testimonies, and discussion groups, participants addressed key issues for the Church's missionary renewal, including pastoral conversion, synodality, the preferential option for the poor, the action of the Holy Spirit, the first proclamation of the Gospel, and the active role of the laity. The report also highlights practical experiences of youth evangelization, parish renewal, and social engagement. The meeting concluded with an address by Pope Francis, who encouraged participants to persevere in a joyful, open, and welcoming evangelization that walks alongside others without excluding anyone.