Rome: Pope Leo XIV addressed participants in the third plenary assembly of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, offering guidance on the art of Christian formation and underlining the Church’s responsibility to safeguard human life, especially the vulnerable. Speaking at the assembly held from February 4 to 6, the Pope highlighted the dual focus of nurturing faith and preventing all forms of abuse.
“It is essential to cultivate within our communities a formation that respects human life at every stage, particularly initiatives that prevent abuse of minors and other vulnerable persons, while also accompanying and supporting victims,” the Pope said, emphasizing that protecting life and fostering faith are inseparable missions of the Church.
Pope Leo XIV stressed the communal dimension of Christian formation. “Just as human life is transmitted through the love of a man and a woman, so Christian life is conveyed through the love of the community,” he explained. He underscored that faith is not produced by a priest, catechist, or leader alone, but by the living, united Church comprising families, youth, single persons, and consecrated members animated by charity and eager to share the joy and fullness of the Gospel with new generations.
“What motivates parents to give life is not need, but the desire to share the overflowing love dwelling within them,” the Pope continued. “This is the root of every Christian formation initiative.”
Addressing the role of formators, Pope Leo XIV observed that in some cases, the Church has emphasized the figure of the teacher over that of the “spiritual parent” who generates faith. He clarified that transmitting doctrine and ethics alone is insufficient. Formators must share their lived faith with generosity, love for souls, willingness to suffer for others, and unreserved dedication, just as parents sacrifice themselves for the good of their children.
The Pope cited St. Paul, whose words in Galatians 4:19 inspired the assembly’s theme, as a model of this parental, nurturing approach to faith.
Pope Leo highlighted that effective formation requires consistent, engaging, and personal life paths leading to Baptism and the Sacraments, guiding the faithful to integrate Christian values into all aspects of life work, relationships, and daily conduct.
“Formation is not easy and cannot be improvised,” he said. “It demands patience, attentive listening, accompaniment, and continuous verification, both personally and communally. It must draw on the experience of those who have gone before to learn from their example.”
He encouraged the participants to look to saints such as St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Philip Neri, St. Joseph Calasanz, St. Gaspar del Bufalo, St. John Leonardi, and St. Augustine for inspiration in their ministry.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo urged the Dicastery members not to be discouraged, even when faced with challenges beyond their perceived strength. “Begin small, guided by the Gospel logic of the mustard seed, trusting that the Lord will provide the energy, people, and graces you need at the right time,” he said.
He also encouraged reliance on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, inviting formators to imitate her faith and perseverance. Through patience, accompaniment, and safeguarding, Pope Leo XIV emphasized, Christian formation becomes a transformative journey one that nurtures faith, protects life, and transmits the Gospel to future generations.