The following quotes are taken from Open the Windows: The Popes and Charismatic Renewal, ed. Kilian McDonnell, osb (South Bend, IN: Greenlawn Press, 1989):

Pope Paul IV (1973) during the First International Leader's Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal: "We rejoice with you, dear friends, at the renewal of the spiritual life manifested in the church today, in difference forms and in various environments. Certain common notes appear in this renewal: the taste for deep prayer, personal and in groups, a return to contemplation and on emphasis on praise of God, the desire to devote oneself completely to Christ, a great availability for the calls of the Holy Spirit, more assiduous reading of the Scriptures, generous brotherly devotion, the will to make a contribution to the service of the church. In all that, we can recognize the mysteries and discreet work of the Spirit, who is the soul of the church." (ibid., p.4)

Pope Paul VI stated during the Synod of Bishops (1974): "The Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that He might forever sanctify the church, and thus all believers would have access to the Father through Christ in one Spirit (cf. Eph.2:18). He is the Spirit of life… The Spirit dwells in the church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple (cf. 1Cor 3:16; 6:19). In them he prays and bears witness to the fact that they are adopted sons (cf. Gal 4:6; Rom 8:15-16,26). The Spirit guides the church in the fullness of truth (cf. Jn 16:13) and gives her a unity of fellowship and service. He furnishes and directs her with various gifts, both hierarchical and charismatic, and adorns her with the fruits of his grace (cf. Eph 4:11-12; 1Cor 12:4; Gal 5:22). By the power of the gospel he makes the church grow, perpetually renews her…" (Lumen gentium, 4) (ibid., p.7)

Pope John Paul II during his audience with The international Council (1979) personally testified as follows: "I have always belonged to this renewal in the Holy Spirit. My own experience is very interesting. When I was in school, at the age of 12 or 13, sometimes I had difficulties in my studies, in particular with mathematics. My father gave me a book on prayer. He opened it to a page and said to me: 'Here you have the prayer to the Holy Spirit. You must say this prayer every day of your life.' I have remained obedient to this order that my father gave 50 years ago…" (ibid., p.25)

"I am convinced that this movement is a sign of his action. The world is much in need of this action of the Holy Spirit, and it needs many instruments for this action. The situation in the world is dangerous, very dangerous. Materialism is opposed to the true dimension of human power, and there are many different kinds of materialism. Materialism is the negation of the Holy Spirit. Now I see this movement, this activity everywhere… Consequently, I am convinced in the total renewal of the church, in this spiritual renewal of the church." (ibid., p.26)

Pope John Paul II during his audience with the Bishops of Northern France (1987) said: "Nowadays, there exists another possibility: that of prayer groups which have multiplied in the Catholic Church as in other church communities, and this spontaneously, in an unexpected manner. Prayer can be developed here in a classic way. It can also seek the support of the more exuberant manifestations. Some pastors have received this movement with restraint. And, in fact, it is necessary to keep watch always so that an authentic doctrine inspires this type of prayer, and the ecclesial character of the sacramental ministers may be well respected, and that the tasks of charity and justice are not abandoned.

On the other hand, the dynamism and generosity of these groups should not impede other initiatives animating the life of parish communities. However, with all necessary discernment, it is possible to speak of a grace directed to sanctify the church, to renew in her the taste for prayer, to rediscover, with the Holy Spirit, the sense of gratuitousness, of joyful praise, of confidence in intercession, and to be converted into a new fountain of evangelization." (ibid., pp.59-60)