Vatican City: In a heartfelt message delivered to the Bishops of the Redemptorist and Scalabrinian Congregations, Pope Leo XIV called for continued dedication to the pastoral care of the faithful, reminding them that God’s mission always leads the way, and that their ministry is a profound grace for the Church and the world.
Meeting the prelates on Thursday at the Vatican, Pope Leo praised the commitment of the two religious families both renowned for their focus on serving the poor, the marginalized, and migrants. He recognized the burdens they shoulder and the sacrifices they make, especially at a time when vocations are dwindling.
The Pope acknowledged the cost of offering priests from their congregations to the episcopate: “Losing brothers who are deeply involved in frontline ministry is no small challenge,” he said. “Yet, at the same time, the Church’s call to serve in a broader mission is a blessing that enriches your communities, just as your founders would affirm.”
Pope Leo expressed gratitude for this generous spirit, noting that service to the universal Church is not a loss, but a gift and a privilege that strengthens religious life from within.
In his remarks, the Pope reflected on the lives of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori and Saint John Baptist Scalabrini, founders of the Redemptorists and Scalabrinians, respectively. He spoke of Saint Alphonsus’ decision to abandon comfort and success in order to minister to the spiritually abandoned in 18th-century Naples. Likewise, he highlighted Saint Scalabrini’s deep compassion for migrants uprooted by hardship, emphasizing how both saints heard the silent cries of the poor and responded with Gospel-driven courage.
“These men did not turn away from the forgotten,” Pope Leo said. “They were not content with comfort, but chose instead the path of sacrificial love. Their example remains incredibly relevant today.”
Pope Leo praised the two Congregations for the unique charisms they carry into the Church’s mission today: care for those on the margins and evangelization of the spiritually distant. “In a world marked by forced migrations and economic divides,” he said, “your witness remains vital.”
He noted how both saints responded to societies that despite progress left behind pockets of silent suffering, a dynamic still visible in today’s fractured world. “We, too,” the Pope said, “must remain attentive to those voices often drowned out by progress, and let the Holy Spirit guide us in hearing and responding to their needs.”
Pope Leo reminded the bishops that they are not alone in their mission. “The Lord always goes before us,” he said. “Our task is to align our hearts with His work through discernment and openness to grace.” He affirmed that the dialogue between these two congregations, rooted in fraternal collaboration, is a powerful tool for strengthening the Church’s response to today’s complex realities.
He urged them to keep cultivating mutual support and unity, stressing that the health of the entire Flock of Christ depends on shepherds who walk together with humility and resolve.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV offered words of encouragement and gratitude: “Your faithful service, despite trials, is a living sign of Christ’s love. May you remain steadfast in your calling, and may your communities continue to be instruments of God’s mercy in the world.”
He imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all the bishops and their communities, asking that their mission be continually enriched by the Spirit as they walk forward in unity, compassion, and hope.