The Historian
In the 30th century, Pope Gregory XVIII issued what was formally called the A New Commission for a Truly Universal Church—or simply The New Commission. Missionaries were sent to each planet within the solar system, regardless of whether it was populated. It was assumed that all of these planets would eventually be colonized, so the Church should establish a Christian presence in anticipation of its human or otherwise settlers.
A translation from the Papal Bull declared by Pope Gregory XVIII, addressing an audience of parishioners and Cardinals following the Vatican shuttle launch in 2930[4]:
"In our voyages through the stars, we carry more than the torch of human civilization. We carry the torch of Christ's love and mercy. The 'New Universal Commission' we enact today declares the Church’s commitment to all corners of God's creation, regardless of how remote or desolate they may seem. We extend our hands and technological ingenuity to every planet, to every future soul who may dwell there, whether terrestrially born or born of new worlds. Our sacred duty is to lay the spiritual groundwork for the communities that will flourish there, ensuring that the Church is a beacon of hope, guidance, and community from the moment they arrive. This mission transcends our current understanding and reaches into the very essence of our faith—universal, enduring, and evolving. We call upon all of God's children to support this bold endeavor, to prepare the way for the gospel to resonate across the solar system, binding us all in celestial communion."
[4] Translation by Dr. Gordon Bextrum. See Appendix A.