Pope Leo XIV invites Church to participate in World Mission Sunday

Vatican, June 2, 2026: "On World Mission Sunday, every Catholic community is invited to pray and offer spiritual and material sacrifices for the missionary efforts in areas of first evangelisation and the support of young Churches."

Pope Leo XIV said this while welcoming participants of the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies at the Vatican on Monday.

The Holy Father opened his address by reflecting on the rich history of the Pontifical Mission Societies and acknowledging their significant contribution to the Church and the wider world over many decades. He also noted that 2026 marks several important milestones for the Pontifical Mission Societies, particularly the centenary of the establishment of World Mission Sunday on the penultimate Sunday of October by Pope Pius XI, following a request from the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith.

"For one hundred years," Pope Leo observed, "this day has been set apart for prayer, reflection, and contributing to the Church’s mission of evangelisation, especially in areas where the proclamation of the Gospel is only just beginning and where the Church is still young."

"If I might add," Pope Leo said, "one of the particular services of World Mission Sunday is to remind people in the older churches, if you will in the established churches, how important it is that they too join in the missionary spirit of the whole Church."

Impact of generosity on World Mission Sunday

The Holy Father pointed out that funds collected on World Mission Sunday enable the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith to assist more than 1,130 ecclesiastical circumscriptions under the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches. This support helps establish essential ecclesiastical infrastructure and sustain a variety of missionary initiatives.

He further noted that these contributions also support the administration of five colleges in Rome that provide ongoing formation for priests and consecrated women and men who come to study in the city and "become precious resources for their local Churches to which they return after completing their studies."

"These and many more missionary initiatives are possible thanks to the generosity of the faithful on World Mission Sunday," he said.

'One in Christ, united in mission'

Pope Leo recalled that this year’s World Mission Sunday theme, One in Christ, united in mission, highlights the unity of believers while commemorating the 100th anniversary of the global observance.

According to the Pope, the theme "invites all of the members of the Church to a deeper communion in Christ and to a fuller unity in his divine mission of love" and "reflects the profound desire of the Lord expressed in his prayer to the Father before his Passion."

Observing that the elements reflected in this year’s theme "call for a missionary renewal in the Church in the years ahead," Pope Leo encouraged those present to "keep this teaching in mind, to live an authentic spirituality of missionary unity and communion centered on Christ, and to promote it through your activities among the faithful."

Venerable Fulton Sheen was light of hope, faith and love

Pope Leo also remarked that it was "providential" that "a renowned National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States of America, the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen," will be beatified on 24 September in St. Louis, Missouri.

"Archbishop Sheen," Pope Leo recalled, "was a light of faith, hope, and love that shone through the radio and television media for decades. I myself am a witness of his evangelisation when I was growing up."

"His broadcasts," he continued, "touched millions with the hope of the Gospel and his initiatives and efforts resulted in enormous spiritual and material aid to the churches in areas of first evangelisation."

The Pope prayed that the soon-to-be Blessed "be an example for all of the National and Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies throughout the world."

Invaluable service to Church's mission

The Pope also highlighted the importance of the work carried out by the Pontifical Mission Societies in a world affected by war and conflict.

He noted that in a world increasingly characterised by division, war and conflict among nations and peoples, the four Pontifical Mission Societies, entrusted to the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches, provide an invaluable service to the Church’s mission of proclaiming Christ, the Prince of Peace.

In this context, Pope Leo thanked the Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood for carrying out "a particularly precious mission by bringing the light of faith and the consolation of Christian charity to children throughout the world, especially in regions afflicted by hatred and violence."

The Holy Father also praised the Pontifical Mission Society of Saint Peter the Apostle for encouraging and supporting the formation of indigenous clergy and consecrated religious in territories of first evangelisation.

"In many places, without the assistance of this Society," he acknowledged, "seminarians and novices would lack the necessary means for their human, spiritual and pastoral formation."

Pope Leo XIV concluded by entrusting everyone present, together with all those involved in the Pontifical Mission Societies' "vital missionary work," to the maternal intercession of the Mother of God, Mary, Queen of Missions, as well as the intercession of all missionary saints.

Courtesy: Vatican News