Vatican City: In a heartfelt address to consecrated men and women from across the world, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound gratitude for their silent yet powerful witness of faith, describing their daily service as a “luminous trail” in God’s great plan for humanity. Speaking on Friday at the Vatican during the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, the Holy Father encouraged consecrated persons to remain deeply rooted in Christ and to continue spreading peace and hope through their lives of prayer, sacrifice, and compassion.
Addressing those gathered, Pope Leo XIV said their lives often lived away from public view shine with a light that strengthens the Church from within. “United with Him, and in Him with one another, your small lights become like the path of a luminous trail in the great plan of peace and salvation that God has for humanity,” the Pope said, acknowledging that many consecrated individuals serve in the most remote corners of the world.
He extended an embrace “from the heart” to all consecrated men and women globally, recognizing their tireless work in education, healthcare, social service, and evangelization. “I know that in many hidden places, your faith sustains communities, comforts the suffering, and keeps alive the hope of the Gospel,” he said.
Reaffirming the indispensable role of consecrated persons in the life of the Church, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the beauty and diversity of the many forms of consecrated life religious orders, secular institutes, and new communities each bringing unique gifts to the Body of Christ.
“The Church needs you,” the Pope declared, “and the full diversity and richness of your forms of consecrated life and ministry. With your vitality and the witness of a life where Christ is the center, you help to wake up the world.”
He reminded them that their effectiveness in mission depends on remaining anchored in Christ: “It is always important to emphasize how essential it is for all of you to be rooted in Him. Only in this way can you carry out your mission fruitfully, living your vocation as part of the wonderful adventure of following Jesus more closely.”
The Pope invited consecrated men and women to renew their spiritual vitality by “returning to the heart” to the place where their vocation first began. He urged them to nurture their interior lives through prayer and contemplation, recalling that such renewal is essential for perseverance in the face of challenges.
“Return to that place where you can rediscover the spark that animated the beginnings of your story,” he said. “Only a heart rooted in prayer can sustain the demands of service.”
He further encouraged them to be “messengers of harmony” in a world marked by conflict and division. “The hearts of men and women today deeply need hope and peace,” Pope Leo said. “You, consecrated men and women, are called to be its bearers through your words, your example, and your lives.”
Reflecting on the long history of consecrated service, Pope Leo XIV praised the countless, often-invisible acts of charity that have shaped Christian witness across the centuries. “Throughout history, consecrated life has paid special attention to serving others,” he said. “Even today, your often-hidden daily actions give privileged witness to the Gospel.”
He urged them to “continue to be guardians and promoters of this great tradition”, reminding them that holiness is found not only in extraordinary deeds but also in fidelity to ordinary tasks performed with love.
Encouraging continued commitment to synodality the Church’s shared path of listening and dialogue the Pope called on consecrated communities to foster genuine communion among themselves. He spoke of the importance of “domestic dialogue,” a fraternal exchange that helps renew the Church’s life from within.
“Remain faithful to the path we are walking together,” Pope Leo said. “Let your relationships, processes, and methods reflect the ongoing renewal of the Body of Christ.”
As he concluded his address, Pope Leo XIV offered heartfelt thanks to all consecrated persons for their unwavering service and example. “Thank you for the great good you do in the Church and in the world,” he said. “Your lives rooted in simplicity, prayer, and service are a living Gospel for our times.”
With his characteristic pastoral warmth, the Pope left them with a message of hope: “Do not underestimate the power of your hidden gestures. In God’s eyes, every act of love, no matter how small, contributes to the light that guides humanity toward peace.”