Pope Leo XIV has called on newly ordained bishops to embrace their mission as humble servants of the Gospel and companions to the faithful they are sent to shepherd. Addressing bishops ordained in the past year during a formation course in Rome, the Pope reminded them that their calling is not a privilege for themselves but a gift for others.
“I wish to recall something as simple as it is not to be taken for granted: the gift you have received is not for yourselves, but to serve the cause of the Gospel,” he said, according to Vatican News.
The Pope emphasized that service is not merely a series of tasks but a spiritual posture rooted in love. “Service… is not an external trait or set of actions, but rather a call to ‘inner freedom, poverty of spirit, and a readiness for service that is born of love, so as to embody Jesus’ own choice, who became poor to make us rich,’” he explained.
Shepherds After Christ’s Heart
Drawing on St. Augustine, Pope Leo reminded the bishops that they are “the servant of many” and must resist the temptation to seek status or personal greatness. Instead, they are called to “keep watch and to walk in humility and prayer, so as to make yourselves servants of the people to whom the Lord sends you,” he said.
He also encouraged bishops to stay close to their flock, echoing the words of Pope Francis, who called such closeness a reflection of God’s own care.
Facing Today’s Challenges
The Pope acknowledged the crisis of faith affecting the world today, urging the bishops to have “the passion and courage for a new proclamation of the Gospel.” This includes welcoming those who approach the Church and addressing the pressing challenges of the day—war, violence, poverty, and the need for solidarity and fraternity.
“The Church,” Pope Leo said, “sends you as caring, attentive shepherds who know how to share the journey, the questions, the anxieties, and the hopes of the people.”
He concluded with a prayer that the bishops may be guided by the Holy Spirit: “May the joy of your Ordination, like a sweet fragrance, also spread over those whom you are going to serve.”
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