Pope Leo XIV urges Franciscans and Trinitarians to support persecuted faithful, praising their mission and calling for prayer and action in regions lacking religious freedom.
Newsroom, June 20, 2025, Gaudium Press – Pope Leo XIV called on religious communities to remain steadfast in supporting those persecuted faithful, emphasizing the importance of prayer and action in addressing global religious oppression. The pontiff delivered this message during a Vatican audience with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Conventual Franciscans) and the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives (Trinitarians), convened for their General Chapters.
In his address, Pope Leo praised the orders for their missionary work and commitment to those deprived of religious freedom, particularly in regions like the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. He urged the religious to be “living reminders of the primacy of the praise of God in Christian life,” encouraging them to listen to Christ through community discernment, the signs of the times, and the Church’s Magisterium.
The Holy Father drew inspiration from a historical depiction in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where Pope Innocent III is shown receiving Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint John of Matha. He noted that Saint Francis, kneeling with an open Gospel, symbolized unreserved devotion to Christ’s teachings, while Saint John of Matha, presenting a collaboratively drafted Rule, exemplified discernment and partnership with the Church. “These two attitudes, far from being in conflict, illuminate one another,” Pope Leo said, highlighting their complementary roles in guiding the Church’s support for religious charisms.
Addressing the Trinitarians’ focus on consoling those unable to practice their faith freely, Pope Leo referenced Saint Paul’s words: “Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9). He joined their prayers, asking that their General Chapter inspire ongoing efforts to remember and aid persecuted communities. Quoting Saint Augustine, he described this mission as “the portion that belongs to God,” defining the vocation of those who liberate His people.
To the Conventual Franciscans, Pope Leo expressed gratitude for their renewed presence in the Far East and their dedication to “speaking of the things of God.” He emphasized that their work should be driven not by personal interests but by Christ’s Spirit, urging them to “write the future in the present” through attentive listening and service.
Concluding with a recitation of Saint Francis’ Praises of the Most High God, Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic Blessing, reaffirming the Church’s call to holiness and service. “You are holy, Lord, the only God, who works wonders,” he recited, underscoring the divine inspiration behind the orders’ missions.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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