Pope Leo XIV Highlights Saint who was a Wife and Mother then Founded a Religious Order "Our society needs women like her" FULL TEXT

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE OBLATE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCESCA ROMANA OF TOR DE' SPECCHI
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 600TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE OBLATION OF ST. FRANCESCA ROMANA

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To the Reverend Oblate Sisters
of Saint Francesca Romana
of Tor de' Specchi
On August 15, 1425, the Holy Foundress Francesca Romana, after a life lived as an exemplary wife and mother, together with her first nine companions, made the solemn oblation, consecrating herself to God in humble and dedicated service to those afflicted by the human and spiritual poverty of her time. Over these six centuries, your ancient religious family, inspired by the Rule of the great father of Western monasticism, Saint Benedict, has been a school of active charity, a source of spirituality, and an ideal of self-offering to Christ and the Church.

This singular anniversary, therefore, is for me a happy occasion to join you in prayer, beloved Daughters, who daily, turning your gaze to Him who gave His life for our salvation (cf. Jn 10:17-18), lovingly entrust to Him your existence and the desires you cherish in your soul, so that His kingdom of light and peace may be built.

I therefore address a cordial thought to this monastic community and to all those who, together with you, are commemorating the Jubilee event, significant for the entire Diocese of Rome.

Saint Frances of Rome, so beloved by the faithful, continues to be a beacon illuminating believers of every age, kindling the fire of Christ's love in the men and women of today. Our society needs women like her: passionate about the Gospel and, as my venerated Predecessor wrote, "inflamed by God's zeal, desirous of serving the Most High in a spirit of humility and, as far as their frailty allows, of imitating the apostolic life to win themselves for Christ and live in communion and charity..." ( Pope Eugene IV , Bull of Foundation of the Monastery of Tor de' Specchi), souls who—as another great Pope, Saint John Paul II , said—"encouraged and strengthened by grace, yet with a delicate sensitivity to the needs and inclinations of today's society, are able to make choices of profound evangelical radicalism […] characterized by austere discipline, joyful renunciation, and generous oblation." (John Paul II, Letter of January 15, 1984 ). There are many aspects of his holiness. We could recall three.

The first is the zeal with which she devoted herself to bringing Christ into the world and making His presence strong and real through her testimony of faith and holiness; the second is her docility to the guidance of the Angels, whose presence she cultivated through faithfulness to prayer and meditation on the Word of God, combined with devotion to her patron saints, St. Paul, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. Benedict, who accompanied her on her journey. The third virtue is her commitment to the unity of the Church, for which she devoted herself, through prayer and action.

Your presence as an "open" Monastery—as the Mother Foundress desired—in the heart of the Eternal City continues all this, serving as a beacon for the history and journey of a people. Over the centuries, many devotees of the Saint have flocked to this sublime place, rich in art and spirituality, to draw inner peace and savor the love of God. Even today, in such a frenetic and opulent society, there is such a great need for oases like this.

I therefore encourage you to rekindle your charism, trusting in the help of the Holy Spirit who, despite the challenges of the present time, will strengthen you and help you continue your mission for the good of the Church.

The beautiful prayer was dear to the Mother:
Tenuisti manum dexteram meam:
in your will you deduced me: et cum gloria assumpsisti me.
“ You held my right hand in your hand, you led me in your will and you welcomed me into glory .”

May it also be a program and a prophecy for you, in the trust and ever-living desire for the eternal Homeland.

Dearest daughters, feel united with the Church that looks to you with special love, especially at this time when you are entrusted to the paternal care of your Venerable Brother Cardinal Fortunato Frezza, called to accompany and support you on this journey so that together you can look to the future with hope and docility.

With these hopes, as I offer my best wishes for the Jubilee celebrations, I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary Assumed into Heaven, of the Advocata Urbis and of the Patron Saints, and I send my Apostolic Blessing, which I willingly extend to all who take part with you in the thanksgiving, trusting in your prayerful remembrance of me.

From the Vatican, August 15, 2025

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
LEO PP. XIV