One in Christ, united in mission
In his message for the 100th World Mission Day, Pope Leo XIV highlights the theme “One in Christ, united in mission,” encouraging the Church to renew its missionary zeal following the Jubilee Year.
The message emphasises that genuine mission stems from a deep spiritual union with Christ and the Trinity. Rather than being defined merely by practices or ideas, Christian identity is rooted in living in Christ, which in turn fosters fraternal unity. To bear effective witness, the Church must overcome internal polarisation and conflicts, renewing spiritual unity and pursuing ecumenical efforts, particularly in light of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
The Pope explains that unity among believers is directly linked to the effectiveness of the Church’s evangelising mission. Citing the motto of Blessed Paolo Manna and noting the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, he reminds all baptised Catholics that evangelisation is a shared responsibility, executed through synodal and harmonious collaboration rather than individual factions. Missionary unity respects diverse charisms, cultures, and traditions, aligning them toward making Christ’s love visible. Pope Leo XIV specifically commends the Pontifical Mission Societies for their role in fostering global prayer networks and financial support through offerings like the World Mission Day collection.
Ultimately, love is presented as the core and driving force of all missionary work. Drawing inspiration from figures like Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Pope urges the faithful to express Christ’s faithful love through both word and action. He expresses special gratitude for ad gentes missionaries serving in difficult or marginalized areas across the globe, calling on all believers to support the global mission through prayer, vocations, and material contributions to ensure the Gospel reaches those most in need.
- A Call to Unity and Love: Pope Leo on the 100th World Mission Day - October 17, 2026
- Walking in the footsteps of Blessed Joseph Gérard: Missionary Associates renew their missionary call - October 15, 2026
- Congratulations to Navi Pillay on Peace Prize - October 14, 2026
