Pope Leo XIV Reveals 2 Directions of Theology as Fundamental to Church Mission in "proclamation of the Gospel" FULL TEXT

Pope Leo XIV, on March 2, addressed Italian theologians from the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
in the Vatican Clementine Hall on Monday, March 2, 2026
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you! Dear brothers, welcome!
I am pleased to meet you this morning and to share with you some reflections on the formation program offered by your respective institutions, the Apulian Theological Faculty and the Calabrian Theological Institute.


Thinking of the two regions from which you come, bathed by the beauty and vastness of the sea, the words that Pope Francis addressed to the community of writers of La Civiltà Cattolica come to mind , which may also be useful to you: "Stay on the open sea. Catholics must not be afraid of the open sea, they must not seek the shelter of safe harbors" ( Meeting with the writers of "La Civiltà Cattolica" , 9 February 2017).

This attitude is greatly needed, especially in contexts where faith must be proclaimed and inculturated today. It's not about acquiring knowledge to fulfill academic obligations, but about embarking on a courageous journey, a crossing of the high seas. This journey moves in two directions: on the one hand, it's a journey to delve into the depths, peering into the depths of God's mystery and the diverse dimensions of the Christian faith; on the other, it's a journey into the deep to go beyond, to explore other horizons and thus find new forms and new languages ​​in which to proclaim the Gospel in the diverse circumstances of history.

This is an important point that I would like to reiterate: theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel , therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church's mission. Theological formation is not a destiny for a few specialists, but a calling addressed to all, so that each one may deepen the mystery of faith and receive the tools needed to passionately pursue the "persevering commitment to the cultural and social mediation of the Gospel" (Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium , Foreword, 3).

From this perspective, I wish to recall the valuable journey of unity you have initiated in your Regions, including by unifying previously autonomous entities, institutions, and educational programs. This is a truly important synergy: a truly historic transition of which you are leading the way, which promotes communion between dioceses, fosters the overcoming of age-old parochialism, and, above all, encourages an ecclesial journey marked by unity and fraternity. Along this path, it is possible to build a shared vision and convergence on the pastoral challenges and demands of evangelization.

Here then is the invitation: to do theology together ! A formation that serves the proclamation of the Gospel is possible only together, sailing "on the open sea," but not as lone navigators. And to do so, as we said, by leaving one's own safe harbor, going beyond one's own territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter and discussion, in mutual listening and dialogue, in that communion between the Churches that connects resources, skills, and charisms.

By doing theology together, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral horizons broaden and intermingle, generating common perspectives and a more embodied ecclesial commitment in the territory, offering you the possibility of renewing the styles and languages ​​of faith in the real context in which you find yourself.

By studying theology together, you will discover that we are a laboratory that prepares future priests and pastoral workers to experience ecclesial relationships in a synodal style, in which the different ecclesial subjects, ministries, and charisms complement each other, overcoming any closed-off point.

Finally, by studying theology together, you will be better able to address the questions and challenges of the social and cultural context. Indeed, the rich history from which you come and the widespread religiosity of your people do not erase the numerous social problems, the unemployment crisis, the phenomenon of emigration, and all those forms of oppression, slavery, and injustice that call for a new awareness and bold commitment from all. Theological formation helps generate critical and prophetic thinking, representing a cultural investment for the future capable of defusing the logic of resignation and indifference.

I encourage you to pursue this project with enthusiasm and determination, and without being seduced by the temptation to retreat. I invite you to dream of an academic community where candidates for the ordained ministry, consecrated men and women, and lay people are formed together and help Christian communities become signs of the Gospel and centers of hope.

Thank you, dearest ones, for your commitment, for your generous service, for the patience and industriousness with which you are building this mosaic of unity and communion: this helps us to inhabit the world between fidelity and creativity, tradition and innovation, unity and diversity, always attentive to what, even today, the Spirit of the Lord wishes to say to the Church.

May Saint Francis of Paola and Mary Santissima Regina Apuliae guard you and intercede for you. Thank you!

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