Pope Leo XIV tells 147 new bishops the most important task is to be with Jesus
At a training course at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said the most important task for bishops is to remain united with Christ, before any institutional leadership
Pope Leo XIV addressed 147 new bishops from around the world on September 10, 2026, during a training course held in the Synod Hall at the Vatican. "Of the many tasks that will be entrusted to you as bishops, this is the most important," he said, speaking of remaining with Jesus in prayer. The course ran from September 2 to 10 under the title "Bishops, servants of communion in the Church and in today's world."
Leo said that although bishops exercise leadership, their fundamental identity is that of disciples of Christ. "To speak of him, we need to be with him; to guide his people, we must let ourselves be guided by him each day," he said. He cited the Gospel of Mark (3:14): "He appointed twelve, whom he called apostles, 'so that they might be with him and so that he might send them out to preach.'" The pope added: "This is the order of the Gospel: to be with him and, through him, to be sent."
The Eucharist and prayer as the source of ministry
The pope urged the new bishops to value time with the Lord through the Eucharist, the Word of God and prayer, as well as moments of intimacy with him, recalling that "our ministry arises from there." When that fundamental connection is kept, he said, service becomes "more serene, free and fruitful."
He said this is not a secondary task, nor a matter of giving prayer whatever time is left over, but that the life of prayer is the foundation of all of a bishop's pastoral and administrative work.
The heart of the Good Shepherd given to the people
The pope told the bishops to "adopt the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd," a heart wholly given to the Father and therefore wholly dedicated to his brothers. "Sollicitudo pastoralis, pastoral care, is not limited to having many responsibilities," Leo said. "It is something deeper: it is carrying your people in your heart."
He also encouraged the bishops to "love your priests, so that they find in each of you a father and a brother." That pastoral fatherhood, he said, should show itself not only in administrative decisions but in closeness, care and constant attention to those who work directly in the mission.
The service of love
Leo urged the bishops to embody the "service of love," which takes concrete form in preaching, listening, prayer, discernment and time given to people. The pope presented these not as separate functions but as expressions of a single pastoral service animated by charity.
Genuine pastoral care, he said, requires bishops to be available to listen, accompany and guide, especially in moments of difficulty, crises of faith or suffering, reflecting the compassion of Jesus for the crowds.
The course topics
During the week of formation, the course covered liturgy, mission, abuse, new sects, administration, justice and transparency, along with synodality, priestly formation, the crisis of the clergy and interreligious dialogue.
The Lord's promise of faithfulness
The pope closed his address with a word of assurance to the new bishops: "The Lord, who has called you, is faithful. He will go before you on the road, he will accompany you on your journey and, through the gift of his Holy Spirit, he will enlighten you each day." He entrusted the new bishops and the people placed in their care to the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
