Pope Leo XIV met on Thursday with participants in a meeting of Moderators of associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements, and new communities, organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. During his address, the Pope stressed the significance of governance within the Church, highlighting that effective leadership is essential for the success and longevity of any organization.
The Pope explained that governance entails providing “a sure direction, so that the community may be a place of growth for the people who belong to it.” He asserted that Church leadership should not only manage practical matters but also express God’s saving will in Christ. Leo XIV noted that the responsibility for governance in lay associations lies with lay people, who are entrusted by their communities through free elections.
In his remarks, he identified three key consequences when leaders accept this gift of the Holy Spirit. Firstly, he asserted that leadership should serve the entire community rather than individual personal interests. Secondly, he insisted that leadership must not be forced upon individuals but should be acknowledged and willingly embraced. Lastly, Leo emphasized that leadership is a charism that requires collaboration with and oversight from the Bishops, advocating for characteristics such as mutual listening, transparency, and community discernment in all governance practices.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the prophetic dimensions of lay leadership, urging them to attune themselves to contemporary pastoral needs and meet new challenges. He explained, “Belonging is authentic and fruitful when it is not exhausted in participation in activities internal to the group, but interprets the signs of the times and reaches outward.” He reminded attendees that lay groups must remain in communion with the broader Church and their local Bishops, even amid disagreements, warning against the danger of viewing their charism as the only valid one.
Furthermore, the Pope encouraged Church leaders to be receptive to diverse opinions and cultural contexts while maintaining the “higher good of communion.” He called on lay leaders to manifest their movements' founding charism through meekness, detachment, and selfless love. Closing his address, Leo praised the historical impact of lay associations, highlighting the role they play in forming well-prepared individuals and effective evangelizers. He concluded with a call to preserve their gifts and foster growth, asserting, “The Church supports and accompanies you.”
