Pope Leo XIV invites priests of Diocese of Rome to rekindle their gift of the faith, proclaim the Gospel, be close to families and young people, and support one another in priestly fraternity, especially young priests who may feel overwhelmed.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV received the priests of the Diocese of Rome in the Vatican on Thursday and exhorted them to rekindle the fire first lit by God when He gave them the gift of collaborating in His work.
The Pope expressed his “great joy” to meet with them and joked that although Lent has just begun, the audience “is not an act of penance.”
In his address, the Pope identified challenges and priorities for priests, inviting them to let faith sustain them.
Rekindle the gift of God
The Holy Father urged them not to see themselves as “passive executors of an already defined pastoral plan,” but to exercise creativity in collaborating with God’s work.
“Church of Rome,” Pope Leo said, “remember to rekindle the gift of God.”
Often pressed “by rapid cultural changes and the scenarios in which our mission unfolds, sometimes beset by fatigue and the weight of routine, or discouraged by the growing indifference toward faith and religious practice,” the Pope acknowledged, “we feel the need for this fire to be nourished and rekindled.”
He also exhorted the clergy to working together in communion. “We cannot think and act in isolation,” the Pope said, as he observed how people’s lives and parish life have changed dramatically over the years.
Pope Leo addresses priests of Rome. (@VATICAN MEDIA)
“It is urgent,” he said, “to return to proclaiming the Gospel. This is the priority,” as he called for “paths and ways that help people come back into contact with the promise of Jesus.”
Transmit the faith without being discouraged
To transmit the faith more effectively, the Holy Father encouraged the clergy to explore other pathways that better involve children, young people, and families.
Recognizing the challenges of ministering to young people, in whom elements of faith are often mixed with cultural and social factors, the Pope said, “It is necessary to grasp and interpret the deep existential discomfort that inhabits them, their confusion, their many difficulties.”
In this context, the Pope said that parishes are called to engage in dialogue “with institutions present in the area, with schools, with specialists in education and the human sciences, and with all those who care about the destiny and future of our young people.”
“We do not have easy solutions that guarantee immediate results,” Pope Leo admitted, “but, as much as possible, we can remain attentive to young people, make ourselves present, welcome them, and share a part of their lives.”
A moment from the audience (@Vatican Media)
Despite weariness, keep going
The Holy Father also addressed younger priests, recognizing that they “often experience firsthand the potential and the burdens of their generation and of this era.”
“I invite you never to close yourselves off,” he said. “Do not be afraid to engage in dialogue, even about your weariness and your crises, especially with brother priests whom you believe can help you.”
In conclusion, Pope Leo exhorted the priests to “live concretely priestly fraternity,” saying, “Let us accompany and support one another.”
Pope Leo exchanging words with priests of Rome (@Vatican Media)
