Pope Leo XIV warns against watering down Christianity’s demands

Pope Leo XIV told believers during a general audience on Oct. 7 that softening the demands of the Christian message will not make the faith more attractive. Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, the pope continued a teaching series on the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et spes, specifically focusing on the Church's mission in the modern world.

The pope said priests, theologians, and all members of the Church must discern which parts of contemporary culture are worthy of consideration. He stated that this discernment must use the word of God and Church tradition as the primary criteria. He urged people to maintain a balanced mind that is free from cultural trends and capable of seeing the world positively while remaining committed to presenting the full Gospel message.