Before they are shepherds, bishops must first remember they are also sheep.
That’s the heart of the message Pope Leo XIV shared with prelates during a special meditation for the Jubilee of Bishops at Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father reminded those gathered that “if we are to lead the Churches entrusted to our care, we must let ourselves be profoundly renewed by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in order to conform ourselves fully to His Heart and to the mystery of His love” (Pope Leo XIV, Jubilee Meditation, June 25, 2025).
The Pope’s meditation offered bishops a striking reminder: their call to leadership begins with humility, prayer, and union with Christ. His reflection, rooted in the Jubilee theme “Hope does not disappoint,” centered on the Bishop’s vocation to be a witness to hope—not through words alone, but by living lives “firmly grounded in God and completely devoted to the service of the Church.”
According to Pope Leo, the bishop is “the visible principle of unity” in his local Church, tasked with building communion “among its members and with the universal Church” by fostering the gifts and ministries that serve the Gospel. To carry out this mission, he is supported by “a special divine grace,” enabling him to serve as “a teacher of faith,” a “minister of sanctification,” and one who remains firmly committed to the Kingdom of God.
But this role requires more than administrative competence—it demands holiness. The bishop must be “a man who lives a theological life,” completely docile to the Holy Spirit and filled with the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Like Moses, he is called to see the goal ahead, persevere through trials, and serve as an intercessor for his people. Through hope, he strengthens others not with easy answers, but with his faithful presence—creating “communities that strive to live the Gospel in simplicity and solidarity.”
These virtues culminate in “pastoral charity,” Pope Leo said, which is inspired by Christ the Shepherd and sustained by the Eucharist and daily prayer. A bishop’s love must be “fraternal,” pouring out in service to priests, religious, and the faithful under his care.
The Pope also pointed to key virtues necessary for a bishop’s life: pastoral prudence, evangelical poverty, and perfect continence in celibacy. He called bishops to be “firm and decisive in dealing with situations that can cause scandal and with every case of abuse, especially those involving minors,” and emphasized the need to uphold current Church legislation without compromise.
Echoing the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo called bishops to grow in human virtues such as fairness, sincerity, self-control, patience, the ability to listen and engage in dialogue, and a willingness to serve.
Ultimately, Pope Leo XIV concluded his meditation with a prayer that bishops might be “men of communion,” promoting unity within the diocesan presbyterate and encouraging their priests in pastoral outreach. He entrusted them to the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Peter and Paul, that they might receive “the graces they need the most.”
In this Jubilee year, the Pope’s words offer a powerful invitation for all Catholics to pray for their bishops—that their hearts might be conformed to Christ’s, and that they may shepherd the Church with humility, courage, and hope.
Source: Vatican Media, Pope Leo XIV’s Meditation for the Jubilee of Bishops, June 25, 2025.
