Pope Leo XIV called for the promotion of global unity before bishops linked to the Focolare Movement, gathered at the Vatican. The Pope warned of polarization in contemporary societies, referring to situations such as prejudice, racism, religious intolerance and violence that some prelates face in their countries.
In his speech, in English, Leo XIV analyzed the impact of individualism on Western culture, stating that freedom has become an absolute autonomy that seeks happiness without accepting moral or natural limitations. The Pope noted that, despite the constant emphasis on human will, populations often feel less free to truly be themselves due to the hidden fear of being judged.
The Pope maintained that the matrix of the Church lies in its vocation to act as a mystery of communion, sign and leaven of unity in a fragmented planet. He recommended that bishops nurture the inner life through prayer, the celebration of the Office and Holy Mass, and the frequent contemplation of the indwelling of the Persons of the Trinity.
The initiative brought together about a hundred prelates from around the world, gathered in Rome for a congress on the witness of unity and the legacy of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare.
