Ministry of Hope’ Catholic Forum on Mental Well-Being Opens in Rome
A global Catholic gathering dedicated to mental health and pastoral care has opened in Rome, bringing together Church leaders, theologians, mental health professionals, and pastoral workers to deepen the Church’s commitment to mental well-being and compassionate accompaniment.
The three-day conference, titled Ministry of Hope, runs from 5 to 7 November and is organized with the support of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers under the patronage of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Its purpose is to strengthen the Church’s pastoral engagement with psychological and spiritual care in an era marked by conflict, displacement, and social fragmentation.
At its core, the event aims to promote dialogue and mutual learning among clergy, religious, and lay professionals who minister to those facing mental distress. Organizers say the Church’s pastoral response must be rooted in empathy, theological reflection, and practical understanding. It seeks to embody the Gospel message of hope, particularly for people struggling with despair, trauma, and loneliness.
The conference opened on Wednesday afternoon with a Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, near Saint Peter’s Square. The liturgy coincided with Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for November, which focuses on suicide prevention and the need to support those living in darkness and despair. The connection between faith and mental health has been a growing priority for Pope Leo, who has urged the global Church to become a “listening community that heals through closeness.”
Following the Mass, participants gathered for a pastoral roundtable featuring testimonies and reflections on suicide prevention and faith-based care. The event was designed not only as an academic exchange but also as a spiritual experience marked by prayer, shared witness, and the call to serve with renewed compassion.
Around fifty participants are attending the working sessions, including bishops, pastoral ministers, psychologists, and individuals with lived experience. The agenda combines theological reflection with professional insight, highlighting topics such as mental well-being in times of war, community resilience, and the importance of pastoral formation that integrates psychological understanding.
One of the key moments of the conference will be the release of a new document by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development titled Mental Health and Pastoral Accompaniment in Contexts of Humanitarian Crisis. The text is expected to guide parishes and dioceses worldwide in developing stronger pastoral support systems for people facing trauma and displacement.
Themes explored at the forum include the dynamics of suffering and resilience, pastoral presence in schools and migrant communities, care for caregivers, and the theological understanding of mental health in light of human dignity.
The Ministry of Hope seeks to reaffirm the Church’s mission as a community of healing and accompaniment. Through listening, dialogue, and shared faith, it reminds believers that hope is not a distant ideal but a daily ministry of presence, trust, and compassion.
