Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has reminded the Church that the heart of mystical life is not found in dramatic visions or extraordinary signs, but in a deep and constant union with God’s love. Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with participants of the conference “Mysticism, Mystical Phenomena, and Holiness,” Pope urged careful and balanced evaluation of candidates for sainthood, especially those linked to unusual spiritual experiences.
The four day meeting, organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, brought together experts to study how the Church should understand mystical experiences in the lives of believers. Pope said the Church must always focus first on the holiness of a person’s life.
“What matters most is their complete and constant conformity to the will of God,” he told the group.
Pope Leo explained that mystical phenomena can appear in people who seek God sincerely through prayer, but he warned that not everything that seems spiritual is truly from God. He called for humble discernment that follows Church teaching and avoids misleading interpretations.
Pope said mysticism is one of the most beautiful dimensions of faith because it reflects an intimate exchange of love with God. He noted that any true mystical experience shows itself through good fruits, quoting the Gospel of Luke which teaches that a tree is known by its fruit.
He said mystical experiences can take many forms, including visions, darkness, deep suffering, or moments of ecstasy. However, he stressed that these events are never the main measure of holiness. They can be signs of God’s gifts, he said, but the real goal is always communion with God.
Pope Leo encouraged a balanced approach in evaluating candidates for sainthood. He said causes should not be promoted only because a person had extraordinary experiences, and at the same time such experiences should not be held against them.
“At the heart of discernment lies listening to their reputation for holiness and examining their virtues,” he said.
Pope also praised those who work on canonization causes and urged them to follow the example of the saints themselves. He ended his address with the words of St. Teresa of Avila, who taught that true perfection is found in accepting God’s will with joy in both pleasant and difficult moments.
The conference took place as the Church continues to deepen its understanding of mystical phenomena, following updated norms for evaluating supernatural events approved in 2024. Organizers said the discussions aim to support a clearer and more faithful approach to recognizing holiness in today’s world.