Pope Francis and the 600th Anniversary of the Gitano Community in Spain

Papa Francis and the 600th Anniversary of the Gitano Community in Spain

Pope Francis addressed his first letter to the members of the Gitano (Roma) community of Spain to mark 600 years since their arrival in that country. He encouraged them to look to the future with hope in his letter, and encouraged words of support and guidance.

Vatican News 12/1/2025, Pope sends message to Gitano community in Spain for anniversary
To mark the 600th anniversary of their presence in Spain, Pope Francis sent them a letter encouraging them to become missionary disciples. pic.twitter.com/8fnAKItFIq

— Kampala Archdiocese (@KlaArchdiocese) January 13, 2025

Discovering God’s Presence in Life’s Struggles

Because of the Gitano community, the Pope recognized the sorrows of misunderstanding, rejection, and marginalization. Despite these hardships, he said they found God’s closeness, as God “has become a nomad with the Gypsy people.”

International Day of Sinti and Roma Peopes

8 April, International Day for the Sinti and Roma peoples Pope Francis recalled that the Church, the Gitano community, and Spanish society itself had made progress in correcting injustices. But he told them that there is still much work to be done to overcome bias and obstacles, such as:

• Youth unemployment.Teenagers dropping out of school
• Women being discriminated against in terms of gender.

A Message of Belonging

Pope Francis recalled the words of St. Paul VI, who in 1965 told the Gitano people, “You are in the heart of the Church.” Pope Francis affirmed this message in the same month, referring to them as “children of the Church” and assuring them that the doors of the Church are open to them to nurture their faith and growth.

In Diversity We Walk Together

Pope Francis emphasized the notion of “walking together” in the Church, an idea expressed in the Synod. He underlined the values offered to the Church and to society by the Gitano community:

Consensus at the First Congress – Respectiful towards elders and diligent about family.

• Care for the environment.– The capacity to rejoice even in difficult moments.- A true sense of life mission.

Disciples Called by Mission

The Pope urged the Gitano community to act as “missionary disciples,” sharing hope with their words, deeds, and one another. He held up Blessed Emilia Fernández Rodríguez and Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla, martyred for their faith, as role models in dedicating their lives to prayer and service.

A Call to Action

In closing his letter, Pope Francis quoted the Gitano anthem, encouraging the community to “keep walking, offer the best of yourselves, and share God’s love” in daily life.

This anniversary is a occasion to remind us all of the resilience, faith and the much-needed contribution that the Gitano community makes to the Church and society.