- 14 July, 2025
CASTEL GANDOLFO, July 12, 2025— Pope Leo, on Saturday, July 12, called on members of several religious congregations who are participating in their respective order's General Chapters to embrace the "marvellous adventure" of following Christ more closely during a special audience held at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he is currently vacationing.
The Holy Father addressed participants of the General Chapters of six religious institutes: the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.); Religious Teachers Filippini; Religious Teachers Venerini; Daughters of the Church; Salesian Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart; and Franciscan Sisters of St. Angela (Angeline Franciscans). Despite the typically quiet summer retreat, the Pope welcomed the delegates, offering spiritual encouragement and expressing gratitude for their work around the world.
The Holy Father began his address by thanking them for their work and "faithful presence" in so many parts of the world. He noted the variety of charisms that the founders and foundresses of their respective congregations, "docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, left them with for the building up of the Body of Christ."
Love of God for Humanity
The Pope observed that each of their respective Institutes embodies complementary aspects of the life and mission of the entire People of God. He highlighted in particular the offering of self in union with Christ’s sacrifice, the ad gentes mission, love for the Church preserved and handed on, and the education and formation of young people. These diverse paths, he said, are all animated by a single eternal reality: God’s love for humanity.
As is customary, the Pope acknowledged that each Congregation has identified particular perspectives through which to reread and renew the legacy it has received, making it relevant for today's world. He encouraged them to carry out this task in a spirit of deep prayer and mutual listening.
Quoting Benedict XVI, Pope Leo recalled that it is the Holy Spirit who, "through the contribution of many under the guidance of the Pastors, helps the Christian community to walk in charity toward the full truth." In this context, the Pope emphasised the need to renew an authentic missionary spirit—adopting the sentiments that were in Christ Jesus, rooting their hope in God, keeping the flame of the Spirit alive in their hearts, promoting peace, and fostering pastoral co-responsibility within local Churches.
Marvellous Adventure of Following Christ More Closely
"To place these side by side and recall them together at this moment," Pope Leo marvelled, "helps us to appreciate the richness of our being a community—especially as religious—engaged in the same marvellous adventure of 'following Christ more closely.'" "May this renew and strengthen in all of us the awareness and joy of being Church," the Pope said, expressing his hope that this in particular, encourages them, in their Chapter discernment, "to think boldly as unique pieces of a design that transcends and involves you beyond your own expectations."
God's Plan of Salvation
Pope Leo XIV described God's loving design for humanity as "the plan of salvation"—His desire to gather all people back to Himself as one great family. He encouraged the faithful to be like small lights, helping to spread the light of Christ—"a light which never fades"—throughout the world.
Before imparting his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Leo XIV invited those present to join him in prayer: "Let us ask the Lord together to make us docile to the voice of His Spirit, who 'teaches all things', and without whose help—in our weakness—we do not even know how to pray as we ought."
Courtesy: Vatican News
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