Pope Leo XIV Writes “As Christians, we always need conversion" and Sense of Belonging is More Important than Numbers of People in Church

In the latest edition of Piazza San Pietro, Pope Leo XIV addresses the common struggle of declining church attendance, offering a shift in perspective for those feeling discouraged by empty pews. Pope Leo XIV responds to Nunzia, a 50-year-old Swiss catechist who wrote him a letter detailing her struggle to get families involved in the parish.  In her letter Nunzia, who lives in Laufenburg, a small municipality with 620 inhabitants – explains how “in Switzerland, it is difficult to get parents involved and, sometimes, even children and young people to trust in God.”

Key Takeaways

• The Global Context: The Pope notes that the decline in religious participation is not isolated to small towns but is a reality across "countries with ancient Christian traditions."

• Quality Over Quantity: Rather than focusing on dwindling statistics, the Pope emphasizes that "the hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted, even if there are very few participants."

• From "Users" to "Members": The central issue identified is a lack of communal identity. The Pope argues that the Church should not be viewed as a service provider, but as a body where everyone has a role.

• The Path Forward: Growth comes through collective conversion and authentic, joyful witness rather than focusing solely on recruitment.

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Core Quotations

On the Struggle of Modern Ministry

Nunzia, a Swiss catechist, expressed the frustration many feel when competing with secular interests:

“I sow seeds, but the seedlings struggle to grow. Children and families prefer sports and parties.”

On Shifting Focus from Numbers

Pope Leo XIV responds by re-centering the mission of the Church on belonging rather than attendance:

“The problem is not the numbers — which, of course, make one reflect — but the increasingly evident lack of awareness in feeling part of the Church, that is, of being living members of the Body of Christ, all with unique gifts and roles, and not merely users of the sacred, of the sacraments, perhaps out of mere habit.”

On Encouragement and Hope

The Pope reminds the faithful that the invitation to faith remains constant:

“As Christians, we always need conversion. And we must seek it together.”

“The true door of faith is the Heart of Christ, always wide open.”

On the Ultimate Goal

The Pope concludes by defining the primary task of the modern Christian:

“What we can do is bear witness to the joy of Christ's Gospel, the joy of rebirth and resurrection.”