Pope Leo XIV told the Bishops of France that the Catholic Church has a prophetic role in public life and urged them to defend its freedom to evangelize, educate and worship publicly.
The Pope met the French bishops on Sunday, September 27, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes during his September 25–28 apostolic journey to France. According to Vatican News, he encouraged the bishops to remain courageous and missionary while helping the country rediscover its Christian heritage.
Pope Leo said the Church’s voice “has every right to be heard in the public square” and, by its nature, possesses “a prophetic authority.”
“Even if it is not always understood, her voice is nonetheless needed,” he said, according to Vatican News.
The Pope referred to France’s particular model of secularism, known as laïcité, saying that the balance achieved over time was “gradually being called into question.”
He urged the bishops to remain vigilant in defending the Church’s freedom and rights “to evangelize, to educate about true freedom, and to worship publicly,” so that Christian charity can be visibly expressed in society.
Pope Leo encouraged the bishops to help deepen the faith of French Catholics and to approach the country’s challenges with “courage and missionary creativity.”
He also called on them to acknowledge the Church’s failings honestly.
“Always have the courage to acknowledge failings with a love of the truth and a determination to bind up wounds with the charity of the Good Shepherd,” he said.
The Pope specifically thanked the bishops for measures taken to address sexual abuse of minors by clergy and others in ecclesial settings. He urged them to continue their efforts with “the greatest vigilance,” while also supporting priests in their ministry.
He highlighted Catholic education as another major area of mission, saying schools should welcome everyone while providing opportunities for an encounter with Christ.
Pope Leo also expressed concern about declining religious vocations, particularly to contemplative life, and the closure of historic monastic communities in France.
He urged the bishops to support Catholic families and help young people discover the possibility of dedicating their lives to Christ.
“To renew hope and give fresh impetus to the Church’s mission in France,” he said, “there is only one ‘roadmap’... to make Jesus Christ known and loved, authentically, passionately, again and again.”
The Pope also called on the French bishops to remain united and avoid ideological divisions within the Church.
He described Catholic unity not as “flat uniformity” but as a unity that allows different authentically Catholic sensibilities to converge in a common profession of faith.
He linked this unity with dialogue and the synodal style the Church has sought to deepen in recent years.
Pope Leo’s meeting with the French bishops was part of his Lourdes program on September 27, which also included Mass at the shrine, an encounter with the sick and staff of Accueil Notre Dame, a meeting with contemplative religious sisters and an evening Rosary and candlelight procession.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
