Pope Leo XIV recently addressed the Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded by St. John Baptist de La Salle, at the Vatican, highlighting the challenges faced by today’s youth while urging educators to transform these obstacles into opportunities for growth. Speaking on May 15, the American pontiff called on educators to view teaching as both a ‘ministry and mission,’ according to a report by Catholic News Agency.
During the meeting, which coincided with the third centenary of the bull ‘In Apostolicae Dignitatis Solio’ and the 75th anniversary of Pius XII’s proclamation of La Salle as the patron saint of educators, Pope Leo XIV outlined the specific struggles of young people today. ‘Think of the isolation caused by rampant relational models increasingly marked by superficiality, individualism, and emotional instability; the spread of patterns of thought weakened by relativism; and the prevalence of rhythms and lifestyles in which there is not enough room for listening, reflection, and dialogue,’ the pope said, according to the report. He emphasized that these ‘demanding challenges’ must be approached as ‘springboards’ for encouraging youth to ‘give the best of themselves in life, according to God’s plan.’
Pope Leo XIV urged educators to draw inspiration from the innovative methods of St. John Baptist de La Salle, who responded to the educational needs of his time by implementing groundbreaking teaching techniques. These included instructing entire classes rather than individual students and using French as the language of instruction. ‘Your founder recognized in his request for help a sign of God; he accepted the challenge and set to work,’ the pope said, referencing La Salle’s response to a layman’s plea for assistance in keeping schools for the poor open.
According to the pontiff, these educational principles should continue to inspire modern teaching methods. ‘Teaching lived as ministry and mission, as [a form of consecrated life] in the Church’ was a principle Pope Leo XIV underscored, citing La Salle’s commitment to serving marginalized youth.
In closing, Pope Leo XIV urged educators to foster ‘fruitful paths of holiness’ among young people, encouraging them to use education as a means of both evangelization and personal development. ‘Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments, and ideas,’ he said. ‘However, they also need help in order for this great wealth to grow in harmony.’
Pope Leo XIV’s address serves as a call to action for educators to embrace their role as spiritual guides and mentors, transforming the contemporary challenges of youth into opportunities for faith-based growth and deeper personal formation.
