Pope Leo XIV to celebrate 100th World Mission Day

Pope Leo XIV issued a message for the 100th World Mission Day, themed "One in Christ, united in mission," to encourage the global Catholic community to pray for and support missions. In his message, the Pope stated that missionary unity does not require uniformity, but rather the convergence of different spiritual gifts toward the single goal of making the love of Christ visible.

The Pope noted that cultural, spiritual, and liturgical differences can coexist harmoniously within the same faith. He warned that internal challenges such as polarization, conflict, and a lack of mutual trust weaken the Church's witness. To address this, he said the Church's primary missionary task is to renew spiritual and fraternal unity among its own members. He argued that Catholics must have reconciled hearts before they can effectively share the Gospel.

Recalling the early Christian divisions described by Saint Paul the Apostle, the Pope cautioned against rivalry and factions. He emphasized that evangelization is a work of love that begins with unity between people and with Christ.