Pope Leo XIV says "United with Him...your small lights become like...a luminous path in the great plan of peace and salvation that God has for humanity" to Consecrated Religious
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Pope Leo XIV at the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, received in audience in the Vatican. Leo XIV to the thousands of consecrated men and women gathered on October 10, in the Paul VI Hall, who have come to Rome from various parts of the world for the Jubilee dedicated to them.
MEETING WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE JUBILEE OF CONSECRATED LIFE
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
Paul VI Hall on Friday, October 10, 2025
___________________________________
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!
I am happy to be with you, who represent all the consecrated men and women of the world, during this week of your Jubilee in Rome . I welcome you with a heartfelt embrace that I hope will reach the most remote corners of the earth, where I know I can find you. In particular, recalling what Pope Francis has already told you , I want to declare to you that the Church needs you and all the diversity and richness of the forms of consecration and ministry that you represent (cf. Message for the World Day of Consecrated Life , 2 February 2023).
With your vitality and the witness of a life where Christ is the center and the Lord, you can help "wake up the world" (cf. Francis, Apostolic Letter to all consecrated persons on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life , 21 November 2014, II, 2). We heard this this morning: that you can wake up the world! In this sense, it must always be reiterated how important it is for all of you to be rooted in Christ. Only in this way, in fact, will you be able to fulfill your mission fruitfully, living your vocation as part of the marvelous adventure of following Jesus more closely (cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree Perfectae Caritatis , 1). United with Him, and in Him among you, your small lights become like the outline of a luminous path in the great plan of peace and salvation that God has for humanity. For this reason, to you, daughters and sons of Founders and Foundresses, I extend a warm exhortation to "return to the heart," as the place where you can rediscover the spark that animated the beginning of your history, entrusting to those who preceded you a specific, enduring mission that is entrusted to you today. It is, in fact, in the heart that the "paradoxical connection between self-esteem and openness to others, between the most personal encounter with oneself and the gift of oneself to others" (Francis, Encyclical Letter Dilexit nos , 18) takes root. It is in interiority, cultivated in prayer and communion with God, that the best fruits of goodness take root according to the order of love, in the full promotion of each person's uniqueness, in the valorization of one's own charism, and in the universal openness of charity.
You have prepared for these days with a long journey, in your countries, within your Institutes, Societies, and Associations, within your various Conferences, inspired by the motto: " Pilgrims of Hope, on the Path of Peace ." There is a profound need for hope and peace that dwells in the heart of every man and woman of our time, and you, consecrated men and women, wish to be bearers and witnesses of it with your lives, as promoters of harmony through word and example, and above all as people who bear within themselves, by the grace of God, the imprint of reconciliation and unity. Only in this way will you be, in the various environments in which you live and work, builders of bridges and promoters of a culture of encounter (cf. Francis, Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti , 215), in dialogue, in mutual understanding, in respect for differences, with that faith that enables you to recognize in every human being a single sacred and marvelous face: that of Christ.
Last night, many of you entered into dialogue with the city of Rome in several squares, with moments of sharing, fellowship, and testimony around important themes, such as commitment to universal brotherhood , concern for the poorest , and care for creation. These are focal points that speak to your daily commitment to creating and promoting environments and structures of brotherhood, where poverty is overcome, the dignity of the human person is placed at the center, and the cry of the "common home" is heeded. These are areas of service for which consecrated life has always shown special interest and care over the centuries, and for which, even today, your hidden daily actions testify to your special concern. Continue to do so: to be custodians and promoters of this great tradition, for the good of your brothers and sisters!
I would like, however, to invite you to reflect on another important theme for the Church of our time: that of synodality, urging you to remain faithful to the path we are all following in this direction. Saint Paul VI spoke of it in beautiful terms. He wrote: "How we would like to enjoy this domestic dialogue in the fullness of faith, charity, and works! How intense and familiar we would like it! How sensitive to all the truths, all the virtues, all the realities of our doctrinal and spiritual heritage! How sincere and moving in its genuine spirituality! How ready to gather together the many voices of the contemporary world! How capable of making Catholics truly good men, wise men, free men, serene and strong men!" (Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam Suam , August 6, 1964, 117). It is the description of an exciting mission: a "domestic dialogue" that is entrusted to you today, indeed to you in a special way, for the continuous renewal of the Body of Christ in relationships, processes, and methods. Your life, the very way you are organized, the often international and intercultural nature of your Institutes, in fact, place you in a privileged position to daily live values such as mutual listening, participation, the sharing of opinions and skills, and the common search for paths according to the voice of the Spirit.
The Church today asks you to be special witnesses to all this in the various dimensions of your lives, first and foremost by walking in communion with the entire great family of God, experiencing it as Mother and Teacher, sharing in it the joy of your vocation, and also, where necessary, overcoming divisions, forgiving injustices suffered, and asking forgiveness for the closures dictated by self-absorption. Work to become, day by day, ever more "experts in synodality," to be prophets of it at the service of the people of God.
Finally, I would like to invite you to look to the future with serenity and trust, and not to be afraid to make courageous choices. In this regard, I would like to recall what Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Letter to all consecrated persons on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life . Our hope, he wrote, "is not based on numbers or works, but on the One in whom we have placed our trust (cf. 2 Tim 1:12) and for whom 'nothing is impossible' ( Lk 1:37). This is the hope that does not disappoint and that will allow consecrated life to continue writing a great story in the future, to which we must keep our gaze fixed, aware that it is towards it that the Holy Spirit impels us to continue to do great things with us" (n. 3). And he added: "Scan the horizons of your life and of the present moment with watchful vigilance" ( ibid .).
Dearest ones, continue your journey with this trust! I thank you for your faithfulness and for the great good you do in the Church and in the world. I promise to remember you in my prayers and bless you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you.
Source: Vatican.va
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
Paul VI Hall on Friday, October 10, 2025
___________________________________
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!
I am happy to be with you, who represent all the consecrated men and women of the world, during this week of your Jubilee in Rome . I welcome you with a heartfelt embrace that I hope will reach the most remote corners of the earth, where I know I can find you. In particular, recalling what Pope Francis has already told you , I want to declare to you that the Church needs you and all the diversity and richness of the forms of consecration and ministry that you represent (cf. Message for the World Day of Consecrated Life , 2 February 2023).
With your vitality and the witness of a life where Christ is the center and the Lord, you can help "wake up the world" (cf. Francis, Apostolic Letter to all consecrated persons on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life , 21 November 2014, II, 2). We heard this this morning: that you can wake up the world! In this sense, it must always be reiterated how important it is for all of you to be rooted in Christ. Only in this way, in fact, will you be able to fulfill your mission fruitfully, living your vocation as part of the marvelous adventure of following Jesus more closely (cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree Perfectae Caritatis , 1). United with Him, and in Him among you, your small lights become like the outline of a luminous path in the great plan of peace and salvation that God has for humanity. For this reason, to you, daughters and sons of Founders and Foundresses, I extend a warm exhortation to "return to the heart," as the place where you can rediscover the spark that animated the beginning of your history, entrusting to those who preceded you a specific, enduring mission that is entrusted to you today. It is, in fact, in the heart that the "paradoxical connection between self-esteem and openness to others, between the most personal encounter with oneself and the gift of oneself to others" (Francis, Encyclical Letter Dilexit nos , 18) takes root. It is in interiority, cultivated in prayer and communion with God, that the best fruits of goodness take root according to the order of love, in the full promotion of each person's uniqueness, in the valorization of one's own charism, and in the universal openness of charity.
You have prepared for these days with a long journey, in your countries, within your Institutes, Societies, and Associations, within your various Conferences, inspired by the motto: " Pilgrims of Hope, on the Path of Peace ." There is a profound need for hope and peace that dwells in the heart of every man and woman of our time, and you, consecrated men and women, wish to be bearers and witnesses of it with your lives, as promoters of harmony through word and example, and above all as people who bear within themselves, by the grace of God, the imprint of reconciliation and unity. Only in this way will you be, in the various environments in which you live and work, builders of bridges and promoters of a culture of encounter (cf. Francis, Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti , 215), in dialogue, in mutual understanding, in respect for differences, with that faith that enables you to recognize in every human being a single sacred and marvelous face: that of Christ.
Last night, many of you entered into dialogue with the city of Rome in several squares, with moments of sharing, fellowship, and testimony around important themes, such as commitment to universal brotherhood , concern for the poorest , and care for creation. These are focal points that speak to your daily commitment to creating and promoting environments and structures of brotherhood, where poverty is overcome, the dignity of the human person is placed at the center, and the cry of the "common home" is heeded. These are areas of service for which consecrated life has always shown special interest and care over the centuries, and for which, even today, your hidden daily actions testify to your special concern. Continue to do so: to be custodians and promoters of this great tradition, for the good of your brothers and sisters!
I would like, however, to invite you to reflect on another important theme for the Church of our time: that of synodality, urging you to remain faithful to the path we are all following in this direction. Saint Paul VI spoke of it in beautiful terms. He wrote: "How we would like to enjoy this domestic dialogue in the fullness of faith, charity, and works! How intense and familiar we would like it! How sensitive to all the truths, all the virtues, all the realities of our doctrinal and spiritual heritage! How sincere and moving in its genuine spirituality! How ready to gather together the many voices of the contemporary world! How capable of making Catholics truly good men, wise men, free men, serene and strong men!" (Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam Suam , August 6, 1964, 117). It is the description of an exciting mission: a "domestic dialogue" that is entrusted to you today, indeed to you in a special way, for the continuous renewal of the Body of Christ in relationships, processes, and methods. Your life, the very way you are organized, the often international and intercultural nature of your Institutes, in fact, place you in a privileged position to daily live values such as mutual listening, participation, the sharing of opinions and skills, and the common search for paths according to the voice of the Spirit.
The Church today asks you to be special witnesses to all this in the various dimensions of your lives, first and foremost by walking in communion with the entire great family of God, experiencing it as Mother and Teacher, sharing in it the joy of your vocation, and also, where necessary, overcoming divisions, forgiving injustices suffered, and asking forgiveness for the closures dictated by self-absorption. Work to become, day by day, ever more "experts in synodality," to be prophets of it at the service of the people of God.
Finally, I would like to invite you to look to the future with serenity and trust, and not to be afraid to make courageous choices. In this regard, I would like to recall what Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Letter to all consecrated persons on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life . Our hope, he wrote, "is not based on numbers or works, but on the One in whom we have placed our trust (cf. 2 Tim 1:12) and for whom 'nothing is impossible' ( Lk 1:37). This is the hope that does not disappoint and that will allow consecrated life to continue writing a great story in the future, to which we must keep our gaze fixed, aware that it is towards it that the Holy Spirit impels us to continue to do great things with us" (n. 3). And he added: "Scan the horizons of your life and of the present moment with watchful vigilance" ( ibid .).
Dearest ones, continue your journey with this trust! I thank you for your faithfulness and for the great good you do in the Church and in the world. I promise to remember you in my prayers and bless you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you.
Source: Vatican.va
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