Vatican City: During his address to the Community of the San Paolo Theological Institute of Catania, Sicily, Pope Francis called on them to become missionaries of hope in a region grappling with significant social challenges. Speaking to an audience of 200 formators, staff, and students on Friday morning, the Pope urged them to “continue to walk together, offering a broad-based formation capable of impacting ecclesial and social life,” emphasizing that “Sicily needs men and women who can look to the future with hope.”

The San Paolo Theological Institute, founded in 1969 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, was established through the collaborative efforts of the dioceses in eastern Sicily. Its mission has been to provide theological education to priests, religious, and laypeople. The Pope praised the Institute’s partnership with the Theological Faculty of Palermo, noting that their cooperative model is “a source of inspiration for other Churches to journey together in this field.”

Pope Francis highlighted the importance of fostering communion within and among theological institutions, describing them as “laboratories of communion and mission, animated by theological reflection.” He also stressed the Institute’s deep connection to Sicily’s cultural and spiritual heritage, which includes revered martyrs like St. Agatha and St. Lucy, as well as modern-day figures such as Fr. Giuseppe Puglisi and Judge Rosario Livatino, who were martyred for standing against organized crime.

“Sicily,” the Pope stated, “needs individuals who can inspire hope and prepare future generations to pursue transparency, freedom, and the common good, breaking the cycles of corruption, organized crime, and persistent poverty.” He encouraged the Institute to address these societal issues by promoting a culture of solidarity, inclusion, and fraternity, particularly through welcoming migrants and supporting the marginalized.

Pope Francis also recognized the growing presence of female students at the Institute, reflecting evolving cultural and societal dynamics in a region where women’s roles have often been undervalued. He viewed this shift as a positive sign of transformation within both the Church and society in Sicily.

The Pope praised the Institute's academic collaboration with the University of Catania, urging it to engage with Sicily’s rich literary and cultural heritage. “In dialogue with this culture, expressed through diverse ways of living and thinking, bring hope and commitment,” he said, emphasizing the transformative power of theology in addressing contemporary challenges.

Concluding his address, Pope Francis invoked Saint Nicholas, a symbol of unity between East and West, and reiterated his call for the Church to advance on the path toward greater visible unity. He encouraged the Institute to take inspiration from the spirit of the Council of Nicaea and remain committed to fostering dialogue, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity.