Evangelii gaudium

Evangelii gaudium (English: The Joy of the Gospel) is a 2013 apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis on "the church's primary mission of evangelization in the modern world." It has been described as a "remarkable and radical document, one that ranges widely and challenges complacency at every level," as well as "the manifesto of Francis" and a "Magna Carta for church reform."

Evangelii gaudium touches on many of the themes of Francis' papacy, including obligations Christians have to the poor, and the duty to establish and maintain just economic, political, and legal orders. Francis says that the world "can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market" and calls for action "beyond a simple welfare mentality" that "attack[s] the structural causes of inequality." Refocusing society's priorities, he asks how "it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?"

Calling for an "ecclesial renewal which cannot be deferred," Francis is critical of the over-centralization of church bureaucracy, poor preaching, and excessive emphasis on doctrine. Additionally, it calls for more pastoral creativity and openness, and a “pastoral conversion” in papal ministry.

In contrast to the writing style of previous popes, Evangelii gaudium is not written in an academic style but "in language that is both easily understood and captivating." In the 47,560 word document, Francis uses the word "love" 154 times, "joy" 109 times, "the poor" 91 times, "peace" 58 times, "justice" 37 times, and "common good" 15 times.

In the first chapters the Pope cites several Bible passages that show the relationship between the joy of receiving the Christian faith and the joy of missionary activity. Francis then offers several themes for the exhortation of the reform of the Church in her missionary outreach; the temptations faced by pastoral workers; the Church, understood as the entire People of God which evangelizes; the homily and its preparation; the inclusion of the poor in society; peace and dialogue within society; the spiritual motivations for mission.

In this chapter Francis underlines the importance of the parish "because it possesses great flexibility", and asks oratories, ecclesiastical movements, prelatures, and other communities in the church, to join the activities of the local parish. He also shows the responsibility that bishops have for the missionary activities in their own diocese. In this context, the Pope says he's ready to reform the Papacy and that he's "open to suggestions which can help make the exercise of my ministry more faithful to the meaning which Jesus Christ wished to give it".

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