Here is the text of a letter sent on Pope Francis' behalf by his secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Knights of Columbus are meeting in Philadelphia through Thursday for the 133rd Supreme Convention.

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Mr. Carl Anderson, Supreme KnightThe Knights of ColumbusFrom the Vatican, 1 August 2015Dear Mr. Anderson,

His Holiness Pope Francis has been informed  that  from  4 to 6 August 2015, the 133rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus  will be held in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. He has asked me to convey his warm  good wishes to all present, together with the assurance of his closeness in prayer.

As he prepares to visit Philadelphia next month  for the Eighth World Meeting  of  Families, the Holy Father expresses deep appreciation for the steadfast public witness which your Order has borne to our Christian understanding  of marriage and the family. Elevated  by  the  Savior  to  the dignity of a sacrament, marriage is, in the Creator’s plan, a natural institution, a life-long  covenant of love and fidelity between a man and a woman, directed to their perfection and sanctification, and to the future  of our human family. Today,  when  the  institution of marriage  is  under  attack  from  powerful cultural forces, the faithful are called to bear witness  to this basic truth of biblical faith and natural law, which is essential to the wise and just ordering of society. In meeting the moral, social and political challenges of the present hour, great wisdom and perseverance will be required of them — “the  patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to their faith in Jesus” (Rev 14:12).

For  this  reason, His  Holiness  trusts  that  the  theme  of  this  year’s Supreme Convention —Endowed by their  Creator  with Life and Liberty — will draw attention to the duty of American Catholics,  precisely as responsible citizens,  to contribute to the reasoned defense of those freedoms on which their nation was founded. The cornerstone of these is religious freedom, understood not simply  as the liberty to worship as one chooses, but also, for individuals and institutions, to speak and act in accordance with the dictates of their  conscience. To  the  extent that  this  right  is menaced, whether  by invasive  public  policies, or by the growing  influence of a culture  which  sets alleged  personal  rights   above  the  common good,  there  is need for a mobilization of consciences on the part of all those citizens who, regardless of party or creed, are concerned for the overall  welfare of society. It is the Holy Father’s hope that the program of catechesis and prayer which the Knights have inaugurated in view of the forthcoming Synod on the Family  and the World Meeting of Families will contribute significantlyto this prophetic witness.

The protection of religious  freedom must  also engage the consciences of  believers  on  the  global  level,  in  response to  the  attacks  unleashed  on minority communities, most often Christian, in various parts of our world. His  Holiness is profoundly grateful  for  the  efforts  of the  Knights  to  raise public attention to this grave humanitarian tragedy. He is likewise gratefulfor the practical  solidarity shown to suffering  individuals and families  through the recently established Christian Refugee Relief Fund. He appeals once more to your Order for constant prayer, in families, parishes and the local Councils, for these, our beleaguered brothers and sisters, who strive only to be faithful to Christ.  It is urgent that, from Catholics  throughout the world, an unceasing sacrifice of prayer be offered for the conversion of hearts, an end to fanatical violence  and intolerance, and a general recognition of  those  fundamental human  rights  which  are not granted by the state, but from  the hand of the Creator, whom  all believers invoke  as a God of peace.

Finally, the Holy Father has asked me to express his appreciation for the outstanding charitable, educational and spiritual activities with which  the Knights  of Columbus contributeto the Church’s  mission,  and to  his  own ministry as the Successor of Peter, charged with solicitude for all the Churches.

Commending the deliberations of the Supreme Convention to the intercession of Mary, Seat of Wisdom, the Holy Father assures all the Knights and  their families of a special remembrance in his prayers. With great affection he imparts  his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of strength  and peace in the Lord.

Yours sincerely,

Pietro Cardinal  Parolin

Secretary of State

Source: Zenit