(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 12.09.2025).- At the end of his address to the newly appointed Bishops in the Synod Hall, on the morning of September 11, the Pope continued by offering an account of the challenges and issues that they must face at the beginning of a new ministry: the fears, the feeling of unworthiness, the different expectations that each one had about his life before the call, pointing out how it is necessary to remain close to the Lord, to keep a time of prayer, to continue living the unconditional trust in the Holy Spirit, the origin of one’s vocation.
Pope Leo emphasized the value of pastoral and human experience cultivated in a local Church, which must be developed in a new ministry that connects Bishops with the universality of the Church. He spoke of the value of witness, of the ability to renew one’s contact with the world in order to respond to the questions that men and women of our time are asking about the meaning of life and evil in the world: «The answers prepared 25 years ago in the Seminary are not enough,» he affirmed.
He called on the new Bishops to be persevering disciples, not intimidated by the first difficulty, pastors close to the people and to the priests, merciful and firm even when it comes to judging, capable of listening and dialogue, not just preaching. In this regard, he added a few words about synodality, not as a pastoral method, but as «a style of Church, of listening and of common search for the mission to which we are called.» And he added: «Be builders of bridges.» He urged them to value the role and integration of the laity in the life of the Church and to serve peace «unarmed and disarming,» because «peace is a challenge for all!» Finally, before answering some questions, the Pope urged everyone to promptly address cases of inappropriate behaviour by the clergy: «They cannot be filed away; they must be confronted with a sense of mercy and true justice, toward the victims and the accused.» He thanked the new Bishops for accepting the ministry. «I pray for you. The Church appreciates your yes. You are not alone. Together we bear the burden and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.»
In response to the Bishops’ questions, the Pope spoke of the need to be prudent in the use of social media, where the risk is that «everyone feels authorized to say whatever they want, even false things,» and added: «There are times when reaching the truth is painful, but necessary. In this sense, he considered it useful to seek help from communications professionals, people trained in this field, summarizing his thoughts on the matter as follows: «calm, a good head, and the help of a professional.»
In speaking of the challenge of each new ministry, the Pope referred personally to what it means for him, he exhorted to trust in the grace of God and in the grace of the state, to recognize one’s gifts and limitations, as well as the need for help from others, perhaps entrusting oneself to the valuable experience of a good Bishop Emeritus who can accompany and help, and he warned against the temptation of forming one’s own group and becoming enclosed within it.
Pope Leo reiterated the need to build bridges, to seek dialogue even where Christians are a minority, with genuine respect for people of other religious traditions, above all through the witness of true love and Christian mercy, because «you will be recognized by the way you love one another.”
The Pope spoke about formation in Seminaries, about the responsibility of initial formation, and urged the Bishops to welcome those who arrive and receive vocations, while also asking them to accompany each one in discovering other dimensions of the Gospel and of Christian and missionary life. And when speaking of mission, he suggested also relying on those lay people who are authentically missionary, present in the Movements, who can be a hope for the local Church.
In response to questions about the serious consequences of the environmental crises, the Pope recalled the tenth anniversary of the Encyclical Laudato Si’ and encouraged promoting this theme in pastoral work, adding that in this important area «the Church is present,» but without mixing it with other themes that are contrary to Christian anthropology.
The topics discussed included the relations between the various bodies within the Church, both universal and particular; the process of appointing Bishops, a subject of study of some groups emerging from the Synod; the many crises the world is experiencing, the need to share them and confront them together; and the value of the presence of the Bishop, who is close to the suffering. Likewise, the topic was discussed of young people, especially in Europe, after the recent Jubilee: their demand for communion and prayer, their thirst for spiritual life, which they have not been able to satisfy in the virtual world or even «in the typical experiences of our parishes.»
By way of conclusion, the Pope imparted his Blessing to the Bishops present and then greeted them individually in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall.
