His Holiness Pope Leo XIV : Theology serves to move the Church's mission forward

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses representatives of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria in the Vatican (@Vatican Media)

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses Italian Theologians from the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria and insists that Theology must work to proclaim the Gospel, deepen the mystery of the faith, and resist the temptation to turn backward.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expressed this when meeting representatives of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria on Monday morning in the Vatican.

Offering reflections concerning the path of formation offered by the respective institutions, the Pope encouraged them to move forward and backward, and to do Theology together.

Recalling that Puglia and Calabria lie along the sea, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV referred to when His Holiness the Late Pope Francis addressed the writers of La Civiltà Cattolica in 2017 and said, “Remain on the open sea. The Catholic must not be afraid of the open sea; he must not seek the shelter of safe harbors.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV said there is a great need for this attitude, especially in the contexts in which the faith must be proclaimed and inculturated today. "It is not a matter of acquiring notions in order to fulfill academic obligations," he said, "but of setting out on a courageous navigation, a crossing on the high seas."

Twofold direction

This journey, the Pope said, moves in a twofold direction.

“On the one hand,” he said, “it is a path of descending into the depths, probing the abysses of the mystery of God and the various dimensions of the Christian faith.”

“On the other hand,” His Holiness Pope Leo XIV continued, “it is a putting out into the deep in order to go beyond, to explore other horizons and thus to find new forms and new languages in which to proclaim the Gospel in the different situations of history.”

The Pope said he wished to reiterate an "important point," namely that “Theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”

Deepening the mystery of the faith

In this context, he reminded them that Theological formation "is not a destiny for a few specialists," "but a call addressed to all," so that each one may deepen the mystery of the faith and receive the useful tools to carry forward with passion the persevering commitment of cultural and social mediation of the Gospel.

In this perspective, the Pope said he wished to recall the precious journey of unity that has begun in their regions, also by unifying realities, institutes and paths of formation that previously proceeded autonomously.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV marveled that this is truly "an important synergy," marking "a genuine historical step of which they are becoming protagonists," one that promotes communion among the dioceses, encourages the overcoming of old local rivalries and, above all, fosters an ecclesial journey marked by unity and fraternity.

Going forward, not backward

Along this road, the Pope said, it is possible to build a common horizon of thought and a convergence regarding pastoral challenges and the demands of evangelization.

Thus, he invited the Theologians “to do Theology together.” He stressed that a formation that serves the proclamation of the Gospel is possible only together, navigating “on the open sea” but not as solitary navigators.

This effort, the Pope encouraged, requires "leaving one’s safe harbor and going beyond one’s own territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter and exchange, in mutual listening and in dialogue, in that communion among the Churches which connects resources, competencies and charisms."

By doing Theology together, he reflected, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral horizons are broadened and intermingled, generating common perspectives and a more incarnate ecclesial commitment in the territory, offering the possibility of renewing the styles and languages of the faith in the real context in which they find themselves.

Pursuing Theology together

Moreover, in doing Theology together, he told them they will discover that they are a laboratory that prepares future presbyters and pastoral workers to live ecclesial relationships in the synodal style, in which the various ecclesial subjects, ministries and charisms complement one another, overcoming every form of closure, and will be better able to welcome the questions and challenges of the social and cultural context…

This report was originally published on the Website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.