- 03 September, 2026
Vatican, September 3, 2026: The heart of priestly formation is not simply acquiring knowledge or completing the required stages of preparation, but learning to remain close to Jesus, Pope Leo XIV told seminarians from two Italian seminaries.
The Pope addressed seminarians from the Pius XI Regional Seminary in Molfetta, Puglia, and the Episcopal Seminary of Aversa, Campania, placing their formation in the context of Jesus’ calling of the Twelve Apostles. He reflected on the image of climbing a mountain to be with Christ before returning to the world for mission.
Remaining with Christ
Pope Leo acknowledged that study, discipline and the various stages of seminary formation are essential. Yet, he stressed that these elements must remain rooted in a relationship with God.
Reflecting on St Mark’s account of Jesus appointing the Twelve, the Pope described seminary formation through the image of “climbing the mountain” to be with Jesus. It is there, he said, that seminarians can reach Christ and, above all, remain with Him. For Pope Leo, this relationship with Jesus lies at the centre of the seminary experience.
He also reminded the seminarians that the call to priesthood begins with God’s initiative. Referring to Jesus’ choice of the Apostles, he emphasised that the vocation is not a reward for merit but comes from the free choice of God the Father, revealing a gratuitous love that comes before human response.
A sign of hope for the Church
Pope Leo described the young men preparing for priesthood as “a sign of hope for the whole Church.”
Looking at the seminarians, he said he sees the wonder of God, who continues to awaken in young people the desire to give their lives to Him and to the Church.
The Pope also affirmed the importance of seminaries in the present age. In a world marked by speed and noise, he said, a period of formation remains necessary to provide young men with the space needed for genuine discernment.
For Pope Leo, however, this formation cannot be understood as a purely individual journey. He pointed to the way Jesus called the Apostles together as a community and said seminarians likewise need to experience their vocation within a community.
Such communal formation allows them to encounter what he called the beauty of “ecclesial mediation”, reminding them that their relationship with the Lord is lived within the life of the Church.
From the mountain to the people
The Pope then returned to the image of the mountain, stressing that the mountain cannot become a place of escape from the world.
Seminary formation also requires “coming down from the mountain”, because the encounter with Jesus is ultimately directed towards mission. What seminarians receive in their time with Christ is meant to be shared with others.
Pope Leo told them that they would be sent to the people of their own lands, carrying the newness of life they have discovered with Jesus. Their future ministry, he said, will involve proclaiming to everyone the beauty of faith in Jesus Christ and the good news of salvation.
He connected this mission with Mary, describing salvation as that which comes through her, and encouraged the seminarians to entrust themselves to her. He prayed that they would receive the grace to renew their “Yes” to Jesus each day, following Mary’s example.
Pope Leo concluded by thanking the seminarians and their families, expressing his gratitude in his own name and on behalf of the entire Church.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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