Pope Leo XIV encourages new Bishops gathered in Rome for formation courses

 

Pope Leo XIV speaks to new Bishops attending a formation course  (@Vatican Media)

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Pope: Bishops must carry everyone in their heart, like Christ

Pope Leo XIV invites new Bishops taking part in a formation course in Rome to have the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and to carry everyone in their heart amid rapid global change.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV met on Thursday with the Bishops taking part in a formation course, entitled “Bishops, servants of communion in the Church and in today’s world.”

In his address, the Pope told newly ordained Bishops that they enjoy a unique form of fraternity and that they never walk alone, as they share their hopes and dreams for the people entrusted to their care.

Promising his prayers for their ministry, he said every person must find a place in the Bishop’s heart, “because everyone already has a place in the heart of Christ.”

He urged them to “remain with Jesus” as their most important priority, speaking to and about Him and spending time in prayer.

“Always cherish your time with the Lord: The Eucharist, the Word of God, prayer, and those moments in which you can remain in His presence with the simple heart of a disciple who allows himself to be loved by his Lord,” he said.

Pope Leo invited the new Bishops to have “the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” turned completely to the Father and given entirely to their brothers and sisters.

“A Bishop is a man who learns each day to love his people more deeply: to know their joys and sorrows, to share their dreams and to rejoice as he sees communities grow,” he said.

As they ordain priests and deacons, meet enthusiastic young people, and walk with people amid difficulties, Bishops are called to love all people the Lord has entrusted to them by learning their names and their stories.

Especially in young Churches, he said, the Bishop’s presence speaks volumes, leaving deep impressions through simple gestures such as spending time with a priest or listening to a family.

“You know both the beauty and the demands of mission, and of a Church that may possess little but is rich in great faith,” he said. “I therefore invite you to preserve a missionary heart.”

Pope Leo XIV urged the new Bishops to carry our “pastoral solicitude,” which means carrying people in their heart, especially their priests.

Theirs is a “service of love,” which they express in preaching, prayer, discernment, and time spent with others.

As the world undergoes a period of rapid change and exploding possibilities with artificial intelligence, he said, Bishops must continue to proclaim the Gospel of salvation to everyone, since technology cannot free humanity from sin and its consequences.

He invited the Bishops to organize opportunities for reflection and dialogue on his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, so all may contribute to building a civilization of love along the vision he has laid out.

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV invited the new Bishops to keep their hearts open to everyone, even those who profess no faith.

“Let us walk with our people: let us pray with them, listen to the Word with them, and celebrate the Eucharist with them,” he said. “Let us seek the face of the Lord with them each day.”

Vatican sends instructions to Bishops on how to welcome back SSPX members who want to return to Catholic Church

 

Facade of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith 

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Lefebvrite priests and lay faithful: Procedure to return to Catholic communion

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has sent a communication to bishops around the world outlining what must be done to welcome back those who decide to leave the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X following the schismatic act that led to excommunication.

Vatican News

Following the schismatic act of July 1, a return to Catholic communion will not require repeating the experience of special commissions, such as Ecclesia Dei in the past, because the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has already established a procedure for both priests and lay faithful, directly involving diocesan Ordinaries and the leaders of the fraternities that follow the ancient rite and are united with Rome.

The instructions are being transmitted in these days through Apostolic Nunciatures, as already announced in the Explanatory Note published by the Dicastery on July 2.

Reconciliation for priests

The procedure set out by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, beginning on July 1, 2026, provides that a priest who has decided to leave the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X — and who is willing to accept the Second Vatican Council and the legitimacy of the Novus Ordo Missae, while remaining attached to the ancient rite — must “find an Ordinary — a diocesan Bishop, a Major Superior of clerical religious institutes of pontifical right or of clerical societies of apostolic life of pontifical right, etc. — willing to receive him ad experimentum.”

The priest must then “write by hand a letter to the Holy Father in which he presents himself and asks for the remission of the censures incurred because of the ordination he received from an excommunicated or irregular Bishop, or because, having been validly and legitimately ordained, he subsequently became a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.”

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Profession of faith and Formula of adherence

The priest must also attach his certificate of priestly ordination and enclose, signed and dated, “the Professio fidei and the Formula adhaesionis.”

These are the Profession of Faith, which summarizes the content of the Catholic faith, and the Formula of Adherence, by which the priest promises fidelity to the Pope and commits himself not to attack him or his magisterium publicly.

He must accept the teaching of number 25 of the conciliar Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium on adherence to the Church’s magisterium. He must also declared that he considers the celebration of Mass according to the rites promulgated by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II to be valid, and that he adheres to the norms of the Code of Canon Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II.

The priest must have these documents — the letter with the certificate, the Profession, and the Formula of Adherence — sent by the Ordinary, “who will state in the accompanying letter his willingness to receive him ad experimentum in his Diocese or Institute.”

As soon as it receives the documents from the Ordinary, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will draw up a Rescript remitting the censures and authorizing the Ordinary to receive the priest making the request “for a probationary period of at least one year and no more than three, at the end of which his incardination may proceed.”

Reconciliation for lay faithful

The procedure, the Dicastery explained, “concerns the question of imputability, or the degree of subjective responsibility, of lay faithful who have formally adhered to, or who attend, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and who ask to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.”

It notes that the imposition of a penalty on lay people belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, in fact, “cannot be presumed automatically, but must be assessed case by case.”

“Since imputability requires full awareness and deliberate consent,” the document of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith states, examples of proven imputability may include “lay people who belong to the Third Order of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X; lay people who habitually participate in celebrations of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and formally share its doctrinal positions.”

The procedure to be followed

The procedure to be followed for lay people belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X on whom a penalty has been imposed, and who ask to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, “implies a formal act of full adherence to Catholic doctrine and obedience to the Catholic hierarchy, under the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary, who is the guarantor of the unity of the particular Church.”

Therefore, a lay member of the faithful who has decided to leave the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X must present to his or her bishop the Professio fidei and the Formula adhaesionis, dated and signed.

“Once the documentation has been obtained, the local Ordinary will see to welcoming the lay member of the faithful at the times and in the manner, he deems most appropriate.”

Lay faithful who are not imputable

The document specifies that the following “are not to be considered imputable: lay people who have attended the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X only for liturgical or spiritual reasons; lay people who, while aware of the tensions with the Holy See, do not reject the Magisterium or the authority of the Roman Pontiff.”

As regards these latter cases, it will be sufficient for them to approach “a priest in full communion, with the decision not to attend the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X in the future.”

pope Leo XIV today meets all the Bishops of Spain

 

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Pope to Bishops: In times of polarizations the Church must be witness of unity in diversity

Addressing the Bishops of Spain, Pope Leo XIV reminds them that the Church's strength does not come from resources, "but from the holiness of Her children." He urges them to persevere on the synodal journey, to remain open to dialogue, to build communities, and to strengthen communion by healing fractures.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"The strength of the Church does not come from the greatness of her resources, but from the holiness of Her children, from the communion of Her pastors, and from the humble and persevering fidelity of those who allow themselves to be guided by the Spirit."

Pope Leo XIV said this while meeting with the Bishops of Spain at the headquarters of the Spanish Episcopal Conference in Madrid on Monday morning.

READ POPE LEO XIV'S FULL ADDRESS TO SPAIN'S BISHOPS

Encouraged them in their faith and commitment despite many challenges, he told Spain's Bishops that they are called to "safeguard unity, foster dialogue, heal divisions and accompany the journey of the people entrusted to your care."

'We walk behind Him'

In his remarks, the Pope reminded them that "it is the Lord who leads us" and who is "the master of history and of each of our stories."

"He," Pope Leo noted, "determines the rhythm. We walk behind Him; indeed, we walk with Him as members of one body."

This profound bond, Pope Leo insisted, demands that the Church, "in this time of increasing polarization and division, offer a witness to unity in diversity."

The Holy Father called the Church in Spain to foster a communion capable of embracing the richness of the gifts, charisms and sensibilities, and stressed that in this task, the ministry of the Bishop takes on particular significance.

Lovingly safeguard the faith

"We are called," Pope Leo said, "to be a visible sign of communion: first and foremost, of communion with Christ, lovingly safeguarding the faith we have received, in docility to the Word of God and to the living Tradition of the Church."

Pope Leo XIV with the Spanish Bishops (@Vatican Media)

This, the Pope said, requires living visibly in communion with the Successor of Peter and with the universal Church, "with the presbyterate and with the diocesan community itself, with consecrated life, with movements, with associations, and with every authentic charism that the Spirit bestows for the common good."

Accordingly, the Holy Father told them to promote unity and accompany their people, to contribute to "missionary vitality."

"A Church that is interiorly at peace," Pope Leo said, "can speak more freely to brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations and other religions, to those who do not believe, to civil authorities, and to all people of good will who work for the common good." The Holy Father also urged them to stay close to young people, seminarians and the vulnerable.

Entrusting their ministry to the Blessed Mother

The Pope went on to recalled that Pope Saint John Paul II had called Spain "Mary's Land."

Referring to the Blessed Virgin as "the mother of communion and hope," Pope Leo said the Bishops have in her "their first companion on the journey and their greatest treasure."

Mary, he said, "she shows believers how to welcome the Word and keep it in their hearts, accompany the disciples on their path, and remain present throughout the Church's journey."

"To her," Pope Leo said, "I entrust your ministry, that she may help you in the midst of the people entrusted to your care."

Safeguarding priestly life

The Pope also recalled that this year marks the fifth centenary of the priestly ordination of Saint John of Avila, patron of the Spanish clergy.

He remembered that Pope Saint Paul VI had described him as "a benevolent and wise teacher of the spiritual life, an exemplary renovator of ecclesiastical life and Christian customs" and, at the same time, "a simple priest."

In this holy Doctor of the Church, Pope Leo said the Church recognizes the priestly life that every Bishop is called to safeguard and foster within his own presbyterate.

In this context, Pope Leo underlined that Bishops' closest companions on this journey are namely "'simple priests,' in the highest and most demanding sense of the term," who are "in love with Christ, rooted in prayer, faithful to the Church, close to the people, and capable of uniting sound doctrine, apostolic zeal and pastoral charity."

Bishops are to be fathers who accompany their priests

The Pope told those gathered that priests should find in their Bishop "not only a recognized authority, but a father who accompanies them," and in their fellow priests "brothers with whom to share the hardships and joys of this pilgrimage that is full of encounters, through which we all seek Christ."

Pope Leo XIV said he wished to conclude with a prayer from the Saint who reminded believers that every ecclesial renewal is born of a heart conformed to Christ, when he said, "If you command me, Lord, to do what you did, give me your heart."

Thus the Pope said we likewise pray, "Lord, give us your heart, a heart capable of lifting its gaze toward you, of setting out on the journey, of listening, of discerning, of serving, of correcting with charity, of attending with patience and of proclaiming with joy."

"For the Church that receives the heart of Christ," Pope Leo said, "carries with her the pillar of fire that guides Her, sustains Her, defends Her and comforts Her — the provisions necessary to face every challenge."

Pope Leo XIV to Bishops; it's not just numbers that proves effectiveness & fruitfulness; much more is important

 

Pope Leo met with members of the Italian Bishops' Conference this morning  (@Vatican Media)

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Pope to bishops: Church's fruitfulness should not be based on numbers

In an audience with members of the Italian Episcopal Conference at the conclusion of their 82nd General Assembly, Pope Leo urges a “focus on the essential” and keeping the priority on the Gospel, which “awakens us” in today’s world “marked by complexity.”

Vatican News

Meeting with participants in the 82nd General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference in the Vatican today, Pope Leo XIV expressed his affection to “all the Churches throughout Italy, to the priests, deacons, consecrated persons, families…and also to those who, perhaps without realizing it, carry in their hearts a thirst for God.”

This gift, he continued, is something he has had the grace to witness “even in a time like ours, marked by complexity.” The Pope explained he saw it firsthand on his trips to Pompeii, Naples, and Acerra.

Pope Leo added that there are many signs that reveal tiredness, fragmentation, and loneliness in people's lives. Sometimes, in communities, people can feel the challenge of passing on the faith and engaging younger generations. Yet, the Pope stressed, “the Gospel awakens us.”

The harvest is abundant

Continuing his greeting, Pope Leo reflected on a verse from Luke's Gospel - “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

As a tireless Sower, God enters the world day after day and “scatters” on people’s hearts the desire for the infinite, “for a life fulfilled, for a salvation that sets free.” Pope Leo noted that it is thanks to God the harvest is abundant. Our task, he said, is to take the Lord’s gaze and make it our own.

The Pope urged focusing on what is "essential", not the numbers (@Vatican Media)

We are not meant to merely “complain about hardened soil or dwell only on statistics.” Rather, the Pope stressed, we are called to “know how to see, with the eyes of the Risen Christ,” the harvest God is preparing for us.

Speaking directly to the Italian bishops, Pope Leo prayed that the Holy Spirit will bestow upon them hearts that are on fire with “the zeal of Christ”, and that many workers will work “alongside us.”

The priority is the Gospel

Keeping this in mind, “the priority is the Gospel”, the Pope explained. This is a thread that has run throughout the entire history of the Church—from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Paul VI to Pope Francis. Faith is born from the Gospel, “as a living encounter with Christ, dead and risen, present in His Church.”

In today’s world, Pope Leo noted that bringing the Gospel back to the center “is both the gift that gives enthusiasm to our lives as Bishops and the urgency that drives us onward.”

As a result, the bishops must ask themselves these two questions:

1.     What face of God do we allow to shine through in our preaching, catechesis, liturgy, charity, and in the life of our communities?

2.     How do we foster an encounter with Christ, and what does it mean today, for us and for our Churches, to initiate others into the Christian life?

Pastors, the Pope urged, should always themselves these questions, “never taking the answers for granted.”

Handing on the faith

This is where a renewed attention to the Christian tradition is important, but one which is more than just preparation for the Sacraments. The Sacraments are the “womb” in which a community “gives birth to faith and introduces people into the Paschal life, into communion with the Lord, into ecclesial fraternity.”

It is in living and welcoming communities that the faith can be handed on and grow. It is in the communities that listen and pray, that keep the Eucharist as “the source and summit”, that see the poor as brothers and sisters, and where families are not left behind.

For this purpose, bishops are called to be deep listeners to the Word of God, the People of God, and the signs of the times. When genuine listening is present, the community does not turn inward. Rather, it grows into a place of mission and discernment and therefore, knows how to renew itself.

This is what the Synodal Journey means. “A synodal Church is one in which each person, according to his or her vocation, can offer the gift received from the Spirit for the common building up,” Pope Leo highlighted.

That means participation is not optional. Rather, it is a “requirement of communion and mission and must therefore become method, responsibility, and accountability.”

Not based on numbers

The Pope stressed that God does not ask us to measure the fruitfulness of the Church according to numbers, visibility, or influence.

Instead, he urged the bishops to “have the courage to focus on what is essential.” The focus should be on an ongoing initiation and formation in Christian life, welcoming and missionary parishes where families can gather, and listening to young people without limiting their questions, among others.

Closing, Pope Leo entrusted the Italian bishops’ journey to Mary, the Mother of the Church. “May she help you to be ‘rooted and built up in Him, steadfast in the faith’ (Col 2:7), to safeguard what is essential, to generate faith, to walk with the People of God, and to recognize the voice of the Lord who still calls, consoles, and sends forth.”

Cardinal Parolin interview ahead of Rubio visit, on peace and disarmament and German bishops

 

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the Augustinianum in Rome 

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Cardinal Parolin: Holy See’s position on peace and disarmament is firm

Cardinal Pietro Parolin responds to questions on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the Vatican, dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump, and on German Bishops.

Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican City

“Do you rely more on Rubio or on Trump?” “Me? I do not rely on anyone. I rely only on Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, made that reply with a smile to journalists who posed the question outside the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome on Wednesday evening.

They were asking again about the attacks on Pope Leo by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. “To attack him in this way or to reproach what he does seems a bit strange to me," Parolin said. 

President Trump’s remarks come just days before the Vatican audience of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for tomorrow, and come after Leo XIV himself already responded last night in Castel Gandolfo.

“The Pope is the Pope”

While Cardinal Parolin is at the Augustinianum to present the book, published by the Vatican Publishing House, “Robert Francis Prevost. Free Under Grace,” he first paused to answer journalists’ questions, particularly regarding Trump’s statement that the Pope would accept that Iran could possess nuclear weapons, thus putting “in danger” thousands of Catholics.

Cardinal Parolin responds with the same words used by Leo outside Villa Barberini: “One must speak in truth.”

The Vatican Secretary of State first clarified the Holy See's position which was misrepresented, stating the U.S. President's assertion about the Holy See's stance on nuclear arms was not correct.

“Certainly," he reflected, "it is not a correct statement, in the sense that the Holy See has always worked, continues to work precisely on nuclear disarmament… it has spoken and has promoted this agreement that touches on the legitimacy of the possession of nuclear weapons.”

Therefore, he reiterated the Holy See has a “very clear” position on the matter.

The Cardinal did not enter into the merits of the repeated attacks by the President, which began on 13 April, the day of Pope Leo’s departure for Africa.

“I would not like to enter into judgments, into personal evaluations on this matter," Cardinal Parolin said, noting, "I believe that the Pope does what he must do: the Pope is the Pope.”

The meeting with Rubio

As for the Pope’s audience with Marco Rubio, who will then also meet with the Secretary of State, the Cardinal explains that first of all “we will listen to him, the initiative came from them.”

Then, he noted, “we will speak about everything that has happened in these days. We could not fail to touch on these topics.”

More generally, as always in meetings with political figures, “themes of international politics and above all conflicts” will be addressed, issues such as Latin America and probably also the question of Cuba. In short, the Cardinal explained, “all those that are the most pressing issues.”

Cardinal Parolin suggested there will be no further proposals from the Holy See on resolving the conflict in Iran, beyond those that “have always been there,” namely that "of dialogue."

“These conflicts," he continued, "cannot be resolved by force, but must be addressed and resolved through negotiation. Let it be a negotiation of good will, sincere, so that all parties can express their point of view and find points of convergence.”

The United States remain an interlocutor

The United States, Cardinal Parolin acknowledged, nevertheless remain an interlocutor.

He said, “How can one do without the United States? One cannot do without the United States. Despite some difficulties occurring, they certainly remain an interlocutor for the Holy See. Also, because they have a role in almost all the situations we are experiencing today.”

The Cardinal went on to show openness to possible “developments” in relations with the U.S. administration.

The Secretary of State emphasized that "it is premature now” to say whether there will be a phone call between the Pope and Trump.

“The Holy Father," he said, "is open to all options, he has never held back in the face of anyone. Therefore, if there were an offer or a request for a direct dialogue with President Trump, I imagine that he would have no difficulty in accepting it.”

Dialogue with the German bishops

The Vatican Secretary of State also responded to a question regarding German Bishops.

“It is premature,” the Cardinal also noted on this point, to foresee an intervention by the Holy See regarding the German Bishops on the question of blessings for same-sex couples.

At this moment, he said, there is “dialogue”: “Let us see what happens.”

The decision, Cardinal Parolin reiterated, belongs to the Pope.

“But in any case," he said, we have already for some time begun a dialogue, on this point expressing each our own points of view.”

Finally, the Secretary of State observed it could be possible “to find a composition” that gathers the different opinions also on the theme of synodality, that is, “that any decision must be in agreement with Canon Law, with the Second Vatican Council, with the tradition of the Church.”

Cardinal Parolin concluded expressing that the hope is “never to have to reach sanctions, that problems may be resolved in a peaceful manner, as should be the case in the Church.”