Pope Leo XIV: Priesthood Is a Total Gift of Self

Pope Leo XIV has written a heartfelt letter to the Major Archdiocesan Seminary in Trujillo, Peru, where he once served as professor and director of studies, encouraging seminarians to live their vocation as a “total gift of self” rooted in love, humility, and fidelity.

In his message, the Pope expressed deep gratitude for the seminary’s “four centuries of history,” praising its enduring contribution to the Church’s mission of forming faithful and compassionate priests. He reminded seminarians that their primary task remains unchanged through the centuries: to walk closely with Christ, allowing themselves to be shaped by Him in heart, mind, and spirit. “To be with the Lord, to let Him form you, to know and love Him, to resemble Him, this is the essence of priestly formation,” he wrote.

Reflecting on the nature of the priesthood, Pope Leo warned against seeing it as a personal achievement or a way to escape life’s challenges. “The priesthood cannot be reduced to reaching ordination as if it were an external goal or a simple solution to one’s problems,” he said. “It is not a flight from difficulty or a privilege to be claimed, but a complete offering of one’s life.” He emphasized that anyone pursuing priesthood for ambition or status “errs in his foundation and builds on sand.”

The Pope described seminary life as a journey of interior renewal, one that requires honesty, prayer, and discernment. He invited seminarians to examine their motivations with courage and sincerity, reminding them that their relationship with God must be the center of all formation. “He who speaks little with God cannot speak well of God,” Pope Leo wrote, urging them to ground their ministry in prayer, silence, and the constant listening of the Word.

The Holy Father also underlined the importance of study, calling theology an indispensable part of priestly growth. “Faith must be solid and reasoned,” he said, “capable of illuminating others.” Through learning, he noted, seminarians are not only preparing to teach but to witness, helping others encounter Christ through truth and understanding.

Calling on them to “flee mediocrity,” Pope Leo cautioned against the distractions of modern life, from worldliness and ideological thinking to the emptiness of online noise. He reminded them that priesthood is lived in community, not isolation. “A priest in isolation is vulnerable,” he said. “The Church needs holy pastors who give themselves to others, not solitary functionaries.”

Concluding his letter, the Pope assured the seminarians of his prayer and closeness. “You have a place in the heart of the Successor of Peter,” he wrote. “The seminary is an immense and demanding gift, but remember, you are never alone on this journey.”