By Álvaro de Juana – On June 5, Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with the International Team of the Neocatechumenal Way: Kiko Argüello, Fr Mario Pezzi, and María Ascensión Romero, at the Apostolic Palace.
Kiko Argüello greeted the Pope, expressing joy that God had provided a “missionary Pope,” a mission also central to the Neocatechumenal Way in both evangelised and de-Christianised nations.
Argüello presented the Pope with a copy of the Icon of the Virgin of the Way, emphasising its guiding message: “We must build communities like the Holy Family of Nazareth, living in humility, simplicity, and praise. The other is Christ.” He also gifted the Holy Father a book of over 400 quotes from Carmen Hernández on women, titled “Undivided Heart, Mission and Virginity,” which the Pope greatly appreciated.
Argüello noted the significant coincidence of Pope Leo XIV’s election on May 8, a date meaningful to the Way. He recounted how on May 8, 1968, he and Carmen Hernández placed the Way under the protection of Our Lady of Pompeii in Italy. Furthermore, on May 8, 1974, Saint Paul VI received the Way’s initiators, offering prophetic words of encouragement: “Behold the fruits of the Council… You, being what you are, are already doing apostolic work.” and “You are doing what the early Church did before baptism; you are doing it afterwards; but whether before or after is secondary. What is important is that you are seeking the authenticity of Christian life, and this is something that comforts us enormously.”
During their cordial meeting, the team updated the Pope on the Way’s extensive activities, including its Christian initiation programs for parishes and dioceses, support for families navigating modern challenges, fostering vocations open to life, and helping young people encounter Jesus Christ.
Pope Leo XIV expressed admiration for the large number of families dedicated to missionary work in challenging areas worldwide, and for the Way’s presence in 138 countries. He was also impressed by the over 100 Redemptoris Mater seminaries across five continents, preparing diocesan missionary priests.
The Holy Father encouraged their continued ministry, recognising its immense value to the Church. He concluded by confirming the Gospel reading for that day (John 17:20-26), which speaks of love and unity – themes central to the Pope’s motto, “In illo Uno, Unum” (“In Him Alone, One”), and fundamental to the Neocatechumenal Way’s journey of faith.
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