Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on the Societies of Apostolic Life within Regnum Christi to engage confidently with contemporary society while remaining firmly rooted in their own identity and mission. Addressing participants of the Regnum Christi General Assembly at the Vatican on Thursday, the Pope reflected on the interconnected themes of charism, governance, and communion, describing them as essential pillars for authentic witness in today’s world.
“Now more than ever, it is necessary to know who we are if we wish to enter into genuine dialogue with society without being absorbed or reduced to uniformity,” the Pope said, underlining the need for clarity of identity amid cultural and social change.
Regnum Christi is an international Catholic federation composed of three branches: the Legionaries of Christ, a religious congregation, and two Societies of Apostolic Life one for Consecrated Women and another for Lay Consecrated Men. Pope Leo noted that the General Assembly had provided an important opportunity for members to reflect deeply on the distinctive charisms present within the Regnum Christi family.
He explained that a charism, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, not only generates vitality and fruitfulness within an institute but also shapes its unique identity. This identity, he said, makes the presence of each community within the Church and society clearly recognizable. For this reason, the Pope emphasized that defining one’s identity with increasing clarity is essential for effective evangelization in the specific contexts where members live and serve.
Pope Leo stressed that every member who receives a charism is entrusted with the responsibility of making it a living and dynamic force. This vitality, he said, must animate their mission today and inspire future generations, who are likewise called to embrace the charism and allow it to shape their service to the Church and the world.
Turning to the subject of governance, the Pope described it as a vital ministry within apostolic societies. Far from being merely administrative, governance should accompany members toward a mature, free, and responsible fidelity to Christ. Each institute and society, he said, must discern its own style of leadership in harmony with its specific spirituality and mission.
An authentically evangelical approach to governance, Pope Leo noted, is always oriented toward service. Its purpose is not control but support helping members draw closer to Christ and live their vocation more fully. In this context, he encouraged participants not to fear innovation, urging them to explore new models of governance where appropriate.
The Pope highlighted that a shared and collective discernment in the exercise of authority can open new paths that enrich both individuals and communities. Such openness, he said, strengthens participation, deepens the sense of belonging, and reinforces commitment to the common mission entrusted to the Societies.
In the final part of his address, Pope Leo underscored the importance of communion within the broader Regnum Christi family. He affirmed that unity rooted in baptism and the diversity of vocations are not contradictory, but mutually illuminating. True communion, he explained, is the work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms each vocation into a service for others so that the Body of Christ may grow and fulfill its mission throughout history.
Reflecting more broadly on the Christian journey, Pope Leo described all believers as people on the move, continually called by God through prophets of the past and present. Through them, God seeks to free humanity from both ancient and modern forms of slavery, drawing young and old, rich and poor, saints and sinners alike into works of mercy and justice.
Concluding his address, the Pope reminded those present that God continues to surprise His people and allows Himself to be found in unexpected ways. This enduring faithfulness, he said, remains a source of wonder and hope for the Church as it carries out its mission in the world.