Pope Leo XIV encouraged the Daughters of St. Paul to renew their mission with passion and authenticity during a special audience at the Vatican on Thursday, as the congregation marks the 110th anniversary of its founding.
Gathered in Rome for their General Chapter, the sisters—who serve in media, publishing, and evangelization across five continents—were praised by the Pope for their global witness and dedication to spreading the Gospel in the spirit of their founder, Blessed James Alberione.
“You proclaim and spread the Word, dedicating your lives to the cause of the Gospel in the footsteps of Jesus,” the Pope said. “This is the heart of your apostolate.”
A Renewed Mission in Modern Times
Reflecting on the theme of the Chapter—“Impelled by the fire of the Spirit, listening to contemporary humanity, we communicate the Gospel of Hope”—Pope Leo emphasized that evangelization today must speak to real-life struggles and cultural realities, not just present abstract truths.
He urged the sisters to adopt two key attitudes in their work: looking upward, to remain rooted in the Holy Spirit, and immersing themselves in reality, to engage with the world as it is.
“Your vocation and mission come from the Lord,” he reminded them, warning against the temptation of relying solely on personal talent or technology. “It is the Spirit who rekindles our hearts, refreshes our labors, and guides our steps.”
Living the Gospel Credibly
The Pope encouraged the sisters to fully enter into today’s world and culture, following Christ’s example of humility and incarnation. He highlighted their “precious service” in fields such as publishing, digital media, and biblical animation, acknowledging the challenges they face—especially limited resources and the demand for high professional standards.
Pope Leo called for “careful discernment” in how their apostolic works are managed and renewed, saying such efforts must be rooted in the original Pauline charism. He warned against any divide between their message and their lived witness.
“Only by uniting The Way, the Truth, and the Life—Mind, Will, and Heart—will your mission remain coherent and credible in today’s fragmented world,” he said.
A Call to Hope
The Holy Father urged the sisters to draw inspiration from the zeal of Saint Paul and to be guided by the Holy Spirit in bringing the Gospel to the most vulnerable. He reassured them of his prayers and entrusted their mission to Mary, Queen of the Apostles, on the Feast of the Guardian Angels.
“Let yourselves be guided by the Spirit and listen to humanity,” he said. “Bring to all the hope that comes from above.”
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