Pope Leo XIV to leaders of ecclesial movements: ‘Christian life is not lived in isolation’

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 6, 2025 /
16:00 pm

Christians must not attempt to live out the promises of Christ alone, Pope Leo XIV told a delegation of 250 people in Rome for the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations, and New Communities.

Organized by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, the annual meeting of moderators of associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements, and new communities comes as more than 70,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Rome for the jubilee this weekend, June 7–8.

“The Christian life is not lived in isolation,” the Holy Father said in his Friday address to the delegation, representatives of several lay associations and ecclesial movements. “It is lived with others, in a group and in community, because the risen Christ is present wherever disciples gather in his name.”

Confirmed movements and associations set to attend this weekend are the Neocatechumenal Way, Catholic Action, Communion and Liberation, the Shalom Community, Charis International, Sant’Egidio, Focolare, Rinnovamento nello Spirito Santo, Opera di Maria, and the Parish Cells of Evangelization, according to the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Pope Leo received Neocatechumenal Way founder Kiko Argüello in a private audience on Thursday.

In his Friday address, the Holy Father noted the presence of institutional groups “founded to carry out a common apostolic, charitable, or liturgical project, or to support Christian witness in specific social settings,” and of those born out of “charismatic inspiration.” 

“All are important to the Church,” Pope Leo said, citing a passage from the Second Vatican Council, which stated that with ecclesial movements, “a much richer harvest can be hoped for from them than if each member were to act on his or her own.” 

Pope Leo said such groups should be understood in reference to grace. “Without charisms, there is a risk that Christ’s grace, offered in abundance, may not find good soil to receive it,” he continued. “That is the reason why God raises up charisms: to awaken in hearts a desire to encounter Christ and a thirst for the divine life that he offers us.” 

‘Leaven of unity’

Unity and mission are essential to the life of the Church and of the Petrine ministry, the pope emphasized to the delegation, urging them to be “a leaven of unity” and to always keep “missionary zeal” alive among themselves.

“​​We have one Head, one grace that fills us, we live on one Bread, we walk on one path and we live in the same house… We are one, in both the spirit and the body of the Lord. If we separate ourselves from that One, we become nothing,” Pope Leo said, quoting a letter from St. Paulinus of Nola to St. Augustine. 

Recalling his own experience as a missionary priest in Peru, Leo noted that the Church’s mission has “shaped my spiritual life.” He further urged those gathered to place their talents in service of the Church “in order to reach those who, albeit distant, are often waiting, without being aware of it, to hear God’s word of life.”

In his concluding remarks, the pope encouraged the delegation to “always keep the Lord Jesus at the center!” 

This, he said, is the essential purpose of charisms. 

“All of us are called to imitate Christ, who emptied himself to enrich us,” he said, concluding: “Those who join with others in pursuing an apostolic goal and those who enjoy a charism are called alike to enrich others through the emptying of self. It is a source of freedom and great joy.”