Pope Leo Says Decline in Faith Must Renew Evangelizing Mission
Pope Leo XIV has said that the growing distance from faith, particularly among younger generations, should not discourage the Church but instead prompt a renewed commitment to evangelization. Speaking at the Vatican to participants in the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pope described the transmission of the faith as a matter of pressing urgency in the present historical moment. He acknowledged that many people no longer view the Gospel as a fundamental reference for their lives, especially in societies shaped by long Christian traditions. While recognizing the sorrow this situation causes among believers, Pope Leo insisted that it must lead the Church to rediscover the joy that lies at the heart of evangelization. This joy, he said, remains essential to the Church’s identity and mission, even in times marked by indifference and cultural change.
Addressing members and officials of the Dicastery, Pope Leo expressed appreciation for their service to the universal Church, recalling that their task is to assist the Roman Pontiff and bishops in proclaiming the Gospel while safeguarding the integrity of Catholic teaching. He noted that their work involves drawing from the deposit of faith while engaging thoughtfully with new questions emerging in contemporary society. According to the Pope, the Dicastery’s doctrinal and pastoral guidance offers clarity to the faithful and support to bishops and theologians navigating complex cultural and ethical challenges. He emphasized that this service is especially valuable during a period of profound transformation, when the Church is called to speak with both fidelity and discernment in response to changing social realities.
Pope Leo returned repeatedly to the theme of evangelization, observing that many young men and women now live without reference to God or the Church. He said this reality demands a missionary response rather than resignation, calling for a Church that looks beyond itself and remains attentive to others. Recalling reflections shared during recent gatherings with the College of Cardinals, the Pope reiterated his vision of a missionary Church that proclaims the Gospel primarily through attraction. He stressed that it is not institutions or strategies that draw people to faith, but Christ himself. When Christian communities allow the love of Christ to be visible through authentic charity, he said, the Gospel becomes credible and capable of touching hearts in unexpected ways.
In the final part of his address, Pope Leo highlighted the Dicastery’s responsibility in addressing serious cases reserved to its competence, describing this work as both delicate and essential. He encouraged those involved to continue welcoming and accompanying bishops and superiors with discernment and pastoral sensitivity, while ensuring that justice, truth and charity are upheld. The Pope acknowledged the weight of this responsibility and thanked the Dicastery’s members for carrying it out with humility and discretion. He concluded by encouraging them to continue offering their contribution to the life of the Church in a quiet and faithful manner, reaffirming that such service remains vital to the Church’s mission in a time of cultural and spiritual uncertainty.
