Castel Gandolfo: During a summer audience at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV offered a heartfelt call to religious men and women from several congregations to joyfully embrace what he described as the "marvelous adventure" of drawing closer to Christ. Despite traditionally keeping a low profile during his seasonal retreat, the Holy Father made time on Saturday to welcome participants from the General Chapters of six religious institutes, including the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.), the Religious Teachers Filippini and Venerini, the Daughters of the Church, the Salesian Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and the Angeline Franciscan Sisters.
In a warm and encouraging address, Pope Leo thanked the members of these congregations for their unwavering presence and commitment across the globe. He highlighted the profound spiritual legacy left by their Founders and Foundresses men and women attuned to the movement of the Holy Spirit who gifted the Church with a rich diversity of charisms, all contributing to the growth and vitality of the Body of Christ.
The Pope noted that each institute reflects different, yet harmonious, expressions of the Church's mission: from offering one's life in union with Christ’s sacrifice, to evangelization, to nurturing love for the Church and forming future generations. At the heart of all these vocations, he reminded them, lies the eternal constant of God's unfailing love for humanity.
As each congregation reviews its spiritual heritage during their Chapter discernment, Pope Leo encouraged them to do so with prayerful reflection and openness to one another. He recalled the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who emphasized that the Holy Spirit, working through many voices under pastoral guidance, leads the Church in love toward the fullness of truth.
The Holy Father called for a renewed missionary zeal rooted in humility, hope in God, and an ever-burning flame of the Spirit. He urged those gathered to foster peace, share responsibility within their local churches, and mirror the very sentiments of Christ in their service.
Reflecting on the shared experience of consecrated life, Pope Leo described the collective journey of religious men and women as a beautiful, communal path of spiritual discovery and dedication. “We are all united in this marvelous adventure of following Christ more closely,” he said, expressing hope that this awareness would reinvigorate their sense of purpose and belonging within the Church.
He invited them to view their lives and vocations as vital elements in God’s vast plan of salvation unique threads in a divine tapestry that stretches far beyond personal dreams. Their role, he said, is to shine like small lights that help radiate the ever-glowing light of Christ across the world.
Before concluding with his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Leo led a shared prayer, asking the Lord to make everyone present docile to the Spirit’s guidance. Without the Spirit, he reminded them, even prayer remains incomplete. “Let us ask together,” he said, “that the Spirit who teaches all things may continue to guide us on this sacred journey.”