Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to take part in the Church’s missionary mission, saying evangelisation is always a work of love. In a video message for the 100th World Mission Sunday, to be celebrated on October 18, he thanked the faithful for their prayers and support and reflected on how their generosity has helped sustain missionary work around the world.
This year’s World Mission Sunday is centred on the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission”. Pope Leo recalled the “abundant fruits” received by the Church since Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday 100 years ago.
The Pope said Pope Pius XI wanted the annual celebration to strengthen awareness of the Church’s missionary responsibility in dioceses and parishes. It also aimed to encourage prayer for evangelisation and missionary vocations and to support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Pope Leo connected this history with his own vocation. Looking back on his youth, he said the prayers offered for missionary work helped prepare his heart to respond to Jesus’ call to become an Augustinian missionary.
He also recalled the support provided by the faithful for his missionary ministry in Peru and for the work of many other missionaries around the world. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has supported World Mission Sunday throughout the years.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Pope Leo highlighted the unity of the Church and the responsibility of Christians to share the Gospel. Through Baptism, he said, every person becomes a member of the Body of Christ and has a unique role in contributing to Jesus’ saving mission.
The Pope called on Christians to work together as one family, with the help of the Holy Spirit, so that people everywhere may enter into communion of faith in Christ.
He also renewed the appeal he made in his message for the centenary, dated January 25, 2026, asking each person to contribute to the Church’s mission according to their vocation and the gifts they have received.
Pope Leo said prayer and practical support can help bring the Gospel of God’s love to people everywhere, particularly the poorest and those most in need.
At the end of his message, the Pope thanked the faithful for their continued support of World Mission Sunday and encouraged them to help carry forward its legacy by generously supporting the Church’s evangelising mission throughout the world.