Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV reminded the Church on Friday that true Christian happiness flows from cultivating a genuine friendship with Christ. Addressing seminary formators and Xaverian Missionaries at the Vatican, he emphasized that priests and laypeople alike must remain rooted in Christ's love to lead joyful and authentic lives of faith.
The Pope met with two groups those who completed the Course for Seminary Formators at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and members of the Xaverian Missionaries concluding their General Chapter. Although their missions differ, Pope Leo noted a shared purpose: facing the challenges of evangelization and entering deeply into the spirit of mission.
Pope Leo stressed that true formation must go beyond academic learning. It must reshape the person from within spiritually, emotionally, and humanly so that each one reflects the heart and mind of Christ. He cited the Church’s recent international conference for priests themed “Joyful Priests,” and said the call to live the Gospel with joy applies to all: “Not just joyful priests, but happy Christians, happy disciples, and happy missionaries.”
To prevent this joy from becoming mere rhetoric, the Pope urged that every vocation whether priestly or lay be built upon a firm foundation. That "rock," he explained, is Christ Himself, and friendship with Him must be the central pillar of Christian life.
“Before we can minister to others, we must first experience the nearness of the Master,” the Pope said. “We must know that we are seen, loved, and chosen not because of merit, but through grace.” This deeply personal connection with Jesus is what overflows into every act of ministry and mission.
The Holy Father reminded his listeners that evangelization starts not with doctrine, but with witness the testimony of someone who has encountered Christ. This encounter demands continuous conversion and self-examination. He called on Church leaders to “remove the masks,” confront their wounds, and allow the Gospel to reshape them from the inside out.
Pope Leo’s second invitation was to cultivate genuine fraternity. He acknowledged that in practice, many still struggle with competition, isolation, and ego. He encouraged priests and missionaries to resist individualism and instead build strong, fraternal relationships both human and spiritual that reflect Christ’s love and unity.
In his final point, the Pope dismantled the notion of lone leadership in ministry. He emphasized that priests are not isolated shepherds, but partners with the entire People of God. The mission of the Church must be shared with all the baptized lay people included who bring vital charisms and perspectives. Formation for the priesthood, therefore, must be deeply immersed in the life of the laity and enriched by their collaboration.
Before concluding, Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep gratitude for the commitment of those present. He praised their dedication to forming future priests and serving in challenging mission territories, often marked by suffering and a thirst for hope. “Keep going forward with courage,” he said. “Let your friendship with Christ continue to be the light that guides your path and the source of your joy.”