In a brief but meaningful audience at the Vatican on May 14, Pope Leo XIV met with Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, the prelate of Opus Dei, to discuss the status of the long-anticipated revision of the apostolate’s statutes—an initiative temporarily delayed by the death of Pope Francis in April.

The encounter, held in a spirit of familial trust, was marked by the Pope’s expressions of warmth and solidarity. According to a statement from Opus Dei’s communications office in Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered his paternal blessing to both Ocáriz and his accompanying auxiliary vicar, Monsignor Mariano Fazio. The pope also made a personal reference to the Marian feast celebrated on the day of his papal election, adding a touch of intimacy to the gathering.

A key topic during the meeting was the suspended process of revising the statutes governing Opus Dei. Originally slated for presentation during the general congress convened in late April, the revisions were intended to align the prelature’s governance with the motu proprio Ad Charisma Tuendum issued by Pope Francis. That directive shifted oversight of Opus Dei from the Dicastery for Bishops to the Dicastery for the Clergy and discontinued the tradition of raising its prelate to the episcopacy.

While the congress went ahead as planned, its focus shifted exclusively to electing a new general council and central advisory board—routine appointments that occur every eight years—postponing any formal action on the statutory updates.

During the audience, Pope Leo XIV reportedly took great interest in the ongoing study of the revisions, attentively listening to the explanations provided. Though no formal announcements followed the meeting, the exchange signals continued papal engagement with the evolving framework of Opus Dei and leaves the door open for future approvals once the proposal is finalized.

The encounter underlines the continuity of papal oversight in the transition following Pope Francis’ reforms and reflects the Church’s ongoing efforts to align ecclesiastical structures with evolving pastoral needs.

Source; CNA