Pope Leo XIV Tells Conference on Mysticism "at the heart of the mystical life lies the awareness of an intimate union of love with God" FULL TEXT

The Pope addressed participants in the conference “Mysticism, Mystical Phenomena, and Holiness,” organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints from November 10 to 13, in a meeting at the Vatican.

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONFERENCE OF THE DICASTERY FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS, "MYSTICALITY. MYSTICAL PHENOMENA AND SANCTITY"
in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Thursday, November 13, 2025
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Your Eminences, Your Excellencies,
dear Priests, Men and Women Religious,
dear brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to welcome you at the conclusion of the Conference sponsored by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints , dedicated to the relationship between mystical phenomena and holiness of life. This is one of the most beautiful dimensions of the experience of faith, and I thank you for helping to enhance it with this in-depth study and also to shed light on some aspects requiring discernment.

Through theological reflection, preaching, and catechesis, the Church has recognized for centuries that at the heart of the mystical life lies the awareness of an intimate union of love with God. This event of grace is manifested in the fruits it produces, according to the Lord's words: "A good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree bears good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush" ( Luke 6:43-44).

Mysticism is therefore characterized as an experience that transcends mere rational knowledge, not through the merit of the one who experiences it, but through a spiritual gift, which can manifest itself in various ways, even through opposite phenomena, such as luminous visions or dense darkness, afflictions or ecstasies. In themselves, however, these exceptional events remain secondary and inessential to mysticism and sanctity itself: they may be signs of it, as singular charisms, but the true goal is and always remains communion with God, who is " interior intimo meo et superior summo meo " (St. Augustine, Confessions , III, 6, 11).

Consequently, the extraordinary phenomena that can characterize a mystical experience are not indispensable conditions for recognizing the sanctity of a believer: if present, they strengthen the virtues not as individual privileges, but as ordered to the edification of the entire Church, the mystical body of Christ. What matters most and what must be emphasized most in the examination of candidates for sainthood is their full and constant conformity to God's will, revealed in the Scriptures and in the living Apostolic Tradition. It is therefore important to maintain balance: just as Causes for Canonization should not be promoted only in the presence of exceptional phenomena, so too must care be taken not to penalize them if the same phenomena characterize the lives of Servants of God.

With constant commitment, the Magisterium, theology, and spiritual authors have also provided criteria for distinguishing authentic spiritual phenomena, which can occur in an atmosphere of prayer and a sincere search for God, from manifestations that may be deceptive. To avoid falling into superstitious illusion, such events must be evaluated prudently, through humble discernment in accordance with the Church's teaching.

Almost summarizing the practice, Saint Teresa of Avila states: «It is clear that the highest perfection does not lie in interior sweetness, in great raptures, in visions and in the spirit of prophecy, but in the perfect conformity of our will with that of God, so that we will, and firmly, what we know to be of His will, accepting with the same joy both the sweet and the bitter, as He wills». [1] These words correspond to the experience of Saint John of the Cross, according to whom the exercise of virtues is the seed of passionate availability for God, so that His will and ours become «one will in a ready and free consent», [2] until the transformation of the lover into the Beloved. [3]

At the heart of discerning a believer is listening to their reputation for holiness and examining their perfect virtue, as expressions of ecclesial communion and intimate union with God. In carrying out this precious service, especially those of you who work in the field of Canonization Causes are called to imitate the Saints and thus cultivate the vocation that unites us all as baptized members, living members of the one People of God.

As I encourage you to continue on this path with confidence and wisdom, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to all of you. Thank you!
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[1] St. Teresa of Jesus, Foundations 5, 10; cf. Id., Interior Castle , I, 2, 7; II, 1, 8.

[2] St. John of the Cross, Living Flame of Love 3, 24.

[3] Cf. Id., Spiritual Canticle , 22, 3.