In a heartfelt address to the De La Salle Brothers at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV lauded their unwavering commitment to education and challenged them to continue nurturing holiness and joy in the lives of young people around the world. Echoing the timeless words of their founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle—“Your altar is the classroom”—the Pope called on the Lasallian community to embrace their sacred mission with renewed zeal and creativity.
The Holy Father emphasized the vital role the Brothers play in shaping the future, especially through their presence in schools that serve not just the privileged, but also the poor and marginalized. Reflecting on the enduring relevance of their work, he noted that more than three centuries after their founding, the Lasallian mission remains “fresh, far-reaching, and full of life,” with the Brothers continuing to serve young people with enthusiasm, sacrifice, and unwavering fidelity.
Pope Leo XIV urged the community to actively foster vocations within their schools and wider networks, encouraging a new generation to walk the joyful and fruitful path of Lasallian religious life. He highlighted the transformative potential of education when it is rooted in compassion, service, and a deep sense of spiritual mission.
He pointed to two key dimensions of the Lasallian tradition that remain especially relevant today: their attentiveness to contemporary realities and the sacred, missionary nature of teaching. Citing the example of their founder, the Pope recalled how St. John Baptist de La Salle responded to personal and societal challenges not with despair, but with innovation and faith. When difficulties arose, he carved new paths—sometimes solitary and untried—trusting in divine guidance to shape a bold and inclusive model of education.
Pope Leo reflected on the pressing challenges facing today’s youth, from emotional isolation and individualism to the perils of relativism and lack of dialogue. But rather than seeing these as barriers, he urged the Lasallian Brothers to transform them into opportunities—to find new language, tools, and methods that can genuinely reach students’ hearts and help them realize their God-given potential.
He further applauded the community’s emphasis on teacher formation and the creation of vibrant educational communities rooted in solidarity and shared purpose. The Pope reminded them that their calling is more than a profession—it is a ministry, a sacred duty, and a prophetic witness to the values of the Gospel.
Recalling that St. John Baptist de La Salle insisted on having “brothers” and not priests teach in his schools, the Pope emphasized the founder’s vision of lay educators as active ministers within the Church. Their vocation, he said, reflects the broader baptismal call to live out priestly, prophetic, and royal responsibilities in daily life—especially in classrooms, where education becomes both a spiritual and communal act.
In closing, Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep gratitude to the De La Salle Brothers for their global mission and faithful witness. Offering his Apostolic Blessing, he assured them of his prayers and extended his encouragement to the entire Lasallian family, urging them to continue shaping young lives with holiness, joy, and purpose.