On June 4th, the Holy Father will receive the IDC in a Private Audience
The disappointment of the Jubilee participants was clearly felt! Due to the considerable time constraints caused by the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis could not hold the Private Audience for the Jubilee participants which he had agreed to grant them in October, 2015. The celebration of the IDC’s 50th anniversary in Rome and Assisi, attended by more than 600 participants from 36 countries on all continents was nonetheless a great success and a moving experience.
Now there’s again a reason to rejoice! Following intensive talks between Archbishop Gänswein, prefect of the Pontifical Household and IDC Protector Bishop Fürst, Pope Francis accepted to reschedule the Private Audience for June 4th. 35 IDC representatives will be received by the Holy Father. Along with the Protector, the Board and the Delegates, representatives from all the world regions and continents as well as of the Orthodox Church and the Diakonia World Federation are invited. Following a speech by Bishop Fürst, IDC President Klaus Kießling will also address a few words to the Pope. Francis will respond to those addresses and give his message to the Audience participants.