Pope Francis on Monday told Catholic priests and nuns to declare their commitment to the Lord "above all" by actions rather than words, and urged them to "spread hope".
"You are called upon to proclaim the reality of God above all by the lives you lead, rather than through your words," Francis told an audience of priests and nuns at the Vatican.
"You should be close to every man and woman, " he said.
"Following Christ means taking on the wounded we meet along the way, going in search of lost sheep; being close to people and sharing their joys and their pains."
The clergy must also "spread hope among humanity in these times of anxiety, fear and at times discouragement," the pontiff stated.
"Also spread hope within the Church," he said.
Priests and nuns need to re-affirm their commitment to Christ in a constantly new way at every stage of their lives, Francis said.
"This keeps hope alive."
