The Holy Father framed participation in World Mission Sunday as a response to the baptismal call to be “missionaries of hope.”
Newsroom (14/10/2025, Gaudium Press )In a heartfelt video message released ahead of World Mission Sunday on October 19, Pope Leo XIV called on every Catholic parish worldwide to actively participate in the annual observance, emphasizing the transformative power of collective prayer and generosity in supporting missionaries globally. Drawing from his own experiences as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru, the Holy Father underscored the vital role of parish contributions in sustaining the Church’s mission.
“I urge every Catholic parish in the world to take part in World Mission Sunday,” Pope Leo declared, highlighting the event’s significance as a moment when the universal Church unites in prayer for missionaries and the fruitfulness of their work. Held annually on the second-to-last Sunday of October, this year’s celebration carries the theme “Missionaries of Hope among the peoples.”
Reflecting on his time in Peru, the Pope shared a personal testimony: “When I served as a missionary priest and Bishop in Peru, I saw first-hand how the faith, the prayer, and the generosity shown on World Mission Sunday can transform entire communities.” He described the tangible impact of these efforts, which enable missionaries to spread the Gospel, support pastoral and catechetical programs, build churches, and address health and educational needs in mission territories.
Pope Leo issued a clear call to action, urging parishes to offer both spiritual and material support. “Your prayers, your support will help spread the Gospel, provide for pastoral and catechetical programs, help to build new churches, and care for the health and educational needs of our brothers and sisters in mission territories,” he said.
The Holy Father framed participation in World Mission Sunday as a response to the baptismal call to be “missionaries of hope.” “This October 19th, as we reflect together on our baptismal call to be ‘missionaries of hope among the peoples,’ let us commit ourselves anew to the sweet and joyful task of bringing Christ Jesus our Hope to the ends of the earth,” he encouraged.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo expressed gratitude to parishes worldwide for their unwavering support of global missionary efforts and imparted his Apostolic Blessing, reinforcing the Church’s shared commitment to its evangelical mission.
World Mission Sunday, organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies, serves as a cornerstone of the Church’s efforts to fund and promote missionary work, with collections taken in parishes worldwide directly supporting initiatives in mission territories. The Pope’s message underscores the critical role of every Catholic community in this global endeavor.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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