Pope Leo XIV Urges Rome Priests to Rekindle Faith and Proclaim Christ’s Promise
Pope Leo XIV met with the priests of the Diocese of Rome at the Vatican this week, calling on them to renew the gift of faith entrusted to them and to place the proclamation of the Gospel at the center of their ministry. Addressing clergy serving in parishes across the capital, the Holy Father encouraged them to rediscover spiritual zeal and strengthen bonds of fraternity, particularly in a time marked by cultural change and growing indifference toward religious practice.
Opening the encounter with a lighthearted remark that the gathering was not an act of penance despite the Lenten season, the Pope quickly turned to the deeper purpose of the meeting. He invited priests to reflect on the fire first lit in them when they were ordained and to ensure that this flame is not diminished by routine, fatigue or discouragement.
Pope Leo XIV urged the clergy not to consider themselves passive executors of predetermined pastoral plans. Instead, he encouraged them to act with creativity and initiative in collaboration with God’s work. He acknowledged that rapid cultural shifts and evolving social realities can weigh heavily on priests, especially in a city as complex and diverse as Rome. For this reason, he stressed the importance of nourishing faith so that ministry remains vibrant and credible.
Central to his message was the urgency of proclaiming Christ’s promises. The Pope said that returning to the essential mission of announcing the Gospel must be the primary focus of pastoral life. He encouraged priests to seek concrete paths that help people encounter Jesus anew, especially those who have drifted away from regular participation in parish life.
Special attention was given to families and young people. Pope Leo XIV recognized that many young people today carry confusion, existential discomfort and uncertainty about the future. He called on parishes to engage in dialogue not only within the Church but also with schools, educators and local institutions that share responsibility for the formation of the next generation. The goal, he explained, is not to provide quick solutions but to remain present, attentive and willing to share in the lives of young people.
Addressing younger priests directly, the Pope acknowledged that they often feel the pressures of contemporary expectations and the burdens of their generation. He encouraged them not to isolate themselves in moments of crisis or fatigue but to seek support from brother priests and to cultivate genuine priestly fraternity. Living communion in practical ways, he said, is essential for perseverance in ministry.
Throughout the meeting, Pope Leo XIV emphasized unity, collaboration and spiritual renewal as pillars for the Diocese of Rome. By rekindling faith, strengthening fraternity and renewing commitment to evangelization, he presented a vision of priestly life rooted in hope and sustained by trust in Christ’s enduring promises.
