Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on men and women religious to remain firmly rooted in their founding charisms while keeping their eyes open to the realities and challenges of the present age. Addressing representatives of four religious institutes gathered in Rome for their Chapters and Assemblies, the Pope praised their founders for their courage, discernment, and ability to respond wisely to the needs of their day.
The Holy Father was speaking to members of the Marist missionaries, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, and the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate, among others. He recalled how their founders interpreted the “signs of the times” and translated them into meaningful responses to the spiritual and social struggles of their era.
“Your history is a beautiful mosaic of God’s gifts,” Pope Leo said, noting that these gifts were embraced by founders who listened deeply to the Holy Spirit and allowed themselves to be shaped by its guidance. He highlighted figures such as Brigida di Gesù Morello, who championed women’s dignity in the 17th century, Saint Gaspare del Bufalo, who countered the spirit of irreligion in his day, and Father Jean-Claude Colin, inspired by the humility of Mary of Nazareth. He also acknowledged the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, established in the 1990s, who followed the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
The Pope reflected on three pillars of religious life community living, obedience, and openness emphasizing that without a perceptive awareness of the real needs of society, none of these congregations would have come into being. “Your founders risked misunderstanding, suffering, and even failure, yet they stepped forward to meet the poverty of their neighbors, recognizing in it the voice of God,” he said.
Pope Leo also stressed the importance of keeping alive the “living memory” of those beginnings, not as a mere historical exercise but as a way to rediscover the ideals and values that can still inspire religious life today. “It is about grasping their vision, even where it remains unexplored, and putting it to work in service of the present moment,” he added.
Concluding his address, the Pope thanked the religious for their quiet but powerful witness across the world. “The good you do may often go unseen by human eyes, but it is never hidden from God,” he affirmed, offering his blessing and encouraging them to carry forward their mission with faith, love, and generosity.