Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV met with participants of the 65th General Assembly of the Italian Conference of Major Superiors (CISM) at the Vatican on Friday, emphasizing the vital role of synodality in guiding religious communities and missions. He called on leaders to avoid self-referential habits and institutional stagnation, while striving to inspire hope and active participation among their fellow religious.
Reflecting on the theme of the Assembly, “Governing Hope: Forms and Styles of Governance in the Provinces of a Synodal Church,” the Pope noted that the community of believers has consistently responded to the challenges of its time. “The Church seeks to bring Christ’s message to every sphere of society and every corner of the world,” he said, acknowledging the enduring and providential presence of religious in this mission.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the importance of sincere discussion and mutual accountability, referencing the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2024). He identified three interconnected attitudes essential for effective governance: ecclesial discernment, careful decision-making processes, and commitment to evaluating choices. “Fidelity to the Church nurtures co-responsibility, transparency, and openness, fostering cooperation among all,” he explained.
He emphasized that regular rotation of responsibilities and offices is critical to prevent rigidity and sclerosis within communities. “This journey of purification aims to make individuals and communities increasingly free in goodness, both in personal growth and in the exercise of charity,” the Pope said. Such an approach promotes renewed charismatic fidelity, eliminating structures or attachments that could hinder the foundational missions of religious congregations.
The Pope underlined that synodality, intrinsic to the Church’s life, has long been reflected in consecrated practices that harmonize individual gifts and communal mission. “Your vocation positions you uniquely to contribute to these efforts worldwide,” he said, while highlighting the growing intercultural nature of contemporary religious communities.
Yet, Pope Leo cautioned that the richness of consecrated life is neither static nor guaranteed. It is shaped by a dynamic faith that must continuously evolve, adapt, and respond to changing circumstances and relationships. “These aspects must be cared for like the fruit of a living organism, requiring nourishment, attention, and sometimes even healing,” he said. In this context, leadership and governance play a pivotal role in inspiring hope and supporting the generous apostolate of all members.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV quoted St. Augustine from his Soliloquies: “Why do you desire that those men whom you love should live with you, or should live at all? In order that we may together inquire into God and our own souls. For thus, he who first found out something could, without labor, easily impart it to the others.” The Pope noted that this reflection captures the essence of the synodal responsibility leaders bear toward their brothers: guiding, supporting, and growing together in faith and mission.