Pope Leo XIV Urges Sisters of Charity to Serve the Spiritual and Material Needs of the Poor

Vatican City, October 26, 2026:Pope Leo XIV has urged religious sisters to care for both the spiritual and material needs of those they serve, emphasising that authentic Christian charity must respect the dignity of the whole person, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

Pontiff calls on religious sisters to remain rooted in Christ and uphold the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable.

The Pope made the appeal on Monday while meeting participants in the General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida Thouret. He congratulated Sr. Maria Rosa Muscarella, who had been re-elected for a second five-year term as Superior General of the congregation.

Reflecting on the significance of a General Chapter, Pope Leo said it offered a special opportunity to discern the inspirations of the Holy Spirit through prayer, listening and communal reflection.

He described the fruits of the sisters’ shared listening to God and one another as a precious offering to the Lord, enabling the congregation to renew its commitment to serving the People of God.

Christ at the Centre of Mission

The congregation’s General Chapter is being held under the theme, ‘Roots in Christ: Mission in the World’. Pope Leo encouraged the sisters to place Jesus at the centre of their hearts and thoughts, recognising His presence in every moment of their lives.

He said that growing closer to Christ would also strengthen their unity and help them serve others more faithfully according to God’s plan.

The Pope recalled the example of St Joan Antida Thouret, the congregation’s foundress, highlighting her love and respect for the Successor of Peter despite painful misunderstandings during her life.

As the Church marks the bicentenary of St Joan’s death, Pope Leo expressed gratitude for the congregation’s continued presence and service in 32 countries.

Charity That Respects the Whole Person

A central part of the Pope’s message was the need to address both the spiritual and temporal wellbeing of every person.

Recalling St Joan’s desire for concern for the ‘integral good’ of one’s neighbour, he warned that contemporary society often fragments human life, separating people from one another and even creating divisions within individuals themselves.

In this context, he said, charity plays an essential role in restoring, promoting and respecting human dignity.

The Pope particularly highlighted the needs of those experiencing poverty and hardship, urging the sisters to treasure, cultivate and spread this comprehensive understanding of Christian service.

His message reflects the Catholic conviction that charity extends beyond material assistance. It also involves listening, offering spiritual support, recognising individual worth and helping people live with dignity.

A Continuing Mission of Service

Concluding the meeting, Pope Leo encouraged the Sisters of Charity to continue their work generously, describing their contribution as precious in the eyes of God and the Church.

His appeal offered a renewed challenge to consecrated religious: to remain firmly rooted in Christ while bringing compassionate, practical and spiritually enriching care to those most in need.

Courtesy Vatican News

Photo Courtesy : VATICAN MEDIA