Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has said that every baptized Christian has a responsibility to actively share and live the message of Christ, stressing that faith is not passive but a call to witness in daily life.
Speaking during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope continued his reflections on the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the document Lumen gentium, which describes the Church as the People of God.
He explained that all believers share in Christ’s mission through Baptism. This includes a participation in what he described as Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly roles. According to the Pope, this shared mission unites both ordained ministers and lay people.
Pope reminded the faithful that Baptism is the foundation of Christian identity. Through it, believers are called to worship God and openly profess their faith. He added that the sacrament of Confirmation strengthens this calling, giving believers the courage to spread and defend their faith through both words and actions.
He also pointed out that this mission is not limited to church leaders but belongs to all members of the Church. Through prayer, charity and a life guided by faith, believers give witness to God’s grace in the world.
Reflecting further, Pope spoke about the “sense of faith” shared by the whole Church. He explained that this spiritual awareness helps the faithful recognise true teachings and live them more deeply. He said this sense belongs to the entire community of believers and is expressed in unity with Church leadership.
Pope noted that the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, remains faithful in matters of belief through this shared understanding among its members.
He also highlighted how the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to believers, enabling them to serve the Church in various ways. He pointed to consecrated life and Church groups as examples of how faith continues to grow and bear fruit.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Christians to renew their awareness of being part of God’s people and to take seriously the responsibility that comes with it. He called on all believers to live their faith actively and to bear consistent witness to Christ in their everyday lives.