Pope Leo XIV stresses that true holiness lies in conformity to God’s will, not mystical events, urging balanced evaluation in canonization processes.
Newsroom (13/11/2025 Gaudium Press ) In a address emphasizing the profound interplay between mysticism and holiness, Pope Leo XIV on Thursday called for careful discernment when evaluating candidates for sainthood, particularly those whose lives include mystical phenomena. Speaking to participants at a Vatican conference organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the pontiff underscored that the essence of sanctity rests not in extraordinary experiences but in unwavering alignment with divine will.
The conference, titled “Mysticism, Mystical Phenomena, and Holiness,” ran from November 10 to 13 and brought together theologians, spiritual experts, and Church officials to explore these themes. Pope Leo XIV, meeting with attendees at the Vatican, highlighted the need for prudence in distinguishing genuine spiritual encounters from potentially deceptive ones.
“What matters most, and what must be especially emphasized in examining candidates for sainthood, is their complete and constant conformity to the will of God,” the Pope stated. He urged evaluators to approach such cases with “humble discernment in accordance with the teaching of the Church,” warning against falling into “superstitious illusion.”
Drawing on centuries of Church tradition, Pope Leo noted that the Magisterium, theology, and spiritual authors have long provided criteria to differentiate authentic phenomena—often arising in contexts of prayer and sincere devotion—from misleading manifestations. “With constant commitment, the Magisterium, theology, and spiritual authors have also provided criteria for distinguishing authentic spiritual phenomena, which can occur in an atmosphere of prayer and sincere search for God, from manifestations that can be deceptive,” he explained.
At the core of his message, the Pope described the relationship between mystical phenomena and holiness as “one of the most beautiful dimensions of the experience of faith.” He expressed gratitude to the conference participants for advancing understanding in this area while illuminating aspects requiring careful judgment.
Mysticism, according to Pope Leo, represents an “event of grace” centered on “the awareness of an intimate union of love with God.” This union transcends rational knowledge, manifesting as a spiritual gift that yields tangible fruits in the believer’s life. Quoting the Gospel of Luke, he reminded listeners: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.”
The Pope elaborated that mystical experiences can vary widely, including luminous visions, periods of intense spiritual darkness, afflictions, or states of ecstasy, as seen in the lives of certain saints. However, he firmly asserted that these “exceptional events remain secondary and non-essential to mysticism and holiness itself.” They may serve as signs or charisms, but the ultimate goal is “communion with God.” Invoking St. Augustine’s Confessions, Pope Leo reflected on God’s transcendence: “Higher than my highest and more inward than my innermost self” (“interior intimo meo et superior summo meo”).
In addressing the canonization process, Pope Leo stressed the importance of balance. “The extraordinary phenomena that may characterize the mystical experience are not indispensable conditions for recognizing the holiness of a faithful,” he said. Such events can bolster virtues, but only when they contribute to the edification of the broader Church, described as the “mystical Body of Christ.”
He cautioned against extremes: Canonization causes should neither be advanced solely due to mystical occurrences nor dismissed because of them. Instead, discernment must focus on the individual’s “reputation for holiness and examining their perfect virtue, as expressions of ecclesial communion and intimate union with God.”
Pope Leo encouraged those involved in sainthood investigations—whom he praised for their “valuable service”—to emulate the saints themselves, fostering their own vocation as baptized members of God’s people.
Concluding his remarks, the Pope drew from the wisdom of two renowned mystics. He quoted St. Teresa of Avila, who defined “supreme perfection” not in “great raptures, in visions and in the spirit of prophecy, but rather in the perfect conformity of our will with God’s, so that we desire, and firmly, what we know to be His will, accepting with the same joy both the sweet and the bitter, as He wills.” He noted that this sentiment aligns with the teachings of St. John of the Cross, a contemporary and collaborator of St. Teresa.
The Pope’s address comes amid ongoing discussions within the Church about how to integrate mystical elements into modern spirituality while maintaining doctrinal integrity. By prioritizing God’s will over sensational experiences, Pope Leo XIV reinforces a timeless Catholic principle: Holiness is measured by fidelity, not phenomena.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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