Paris: In a heartfelt message addressed to the clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Paris, Pope Leo XIV urged priests to root their ministry in a spirit of generous, unconditional love and to strengthen bonds of fraternity amid the complex realities of modern ecclesial and societal life.
The Pope's message was delivered during a special Mass at the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Thursday, marking the jubilee of bishops and priests from the Île-de-France region. The occasion coincided with the 60th anniversary of Presbyterorum Ordinis, the Second Vatican Council's landmark decree on the priestly ministry and life—a central focus of reflection during the jubilee celebrations.
“I extend my fatherly affection and offer you my heartfelt encouragement as you continue to serve the people of God,” Pope Leo wrote in the letter, which was read aloud by Bishop Dominique Blanchet of Créteil, who was recently named Prelate of the Mission de France by the Holy Father.
Recognizing the difficulties faced by clergy today, Pope Leo expressed his solidarity with priests ministering under both ecclesial strains and social pressures. He called on them to renew their commitment by deepening their personal relationship with Christ and embodying a love that reflects the gentleness, humility, and compassion exemplified by Christ—and often highlighted by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.
“Let your love for your communities be generous and unreserved,” the Pope wrote. “In doing so, even if you are not saints, you will gain the credibility needed to reach the hearts of those furthest from the Church and guide them toward an encounter with Jesus.”
He further urged priests to cultivate strong relationships among themselves, maintain close communion with their bishops, and to remain steadfast in prayer for the unity of the Church.
The Holy Father concluded his message by invoking the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and seeking the intercession of the many holy priests and bishops who served Paris in generations past. He also prayed that the Holy Spirit would daily renew the grace of each priest's original call to serve.
The jubilee gathering saw clergy from across the eight dioceses of Île-de-France come together in spiritually significant locations for study and reflection with their bishops, before joining in a pilgrimage and a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Notre-Dame Cathedral in the evening—a profound expression of unity, renewal, and commitment to the priestly mission in today’s world.