This has been a glorious week in the life of the Church—the addition of a new American Blessed—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen—and Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France. Both of those momentous occasions might have overshadowed an absolutely brilliant address that Pope Leo gave to the Diocese of Rome at Saint John Lateran Basilica to mark the beginning of the new pastoral year.
The city of Rome and its people is actually the primary responsibility for Pope Leo to shepherd. He also is responsible for shepherding the worldwide universal Church—and this responsibility is what we usually associate with the Pope, but he is first and foremost, bishop of Rome, and this address was directed primarily at those within the Rome diocese, however, what Pope Leo tells them are words that all of us need to hear and respond.
In fact, when I read this address, I actually joked that Pope Leo must have read my book, Solving the Parish Puzzle, because the ideas are so similar! But the reality is that the Pope’s address actually reaffirms that the book I wrote truly is of the Holy Spirit because they are a reflection of what the Holy Father is asking us to be attentive within our parishes.
The work I do within The Catholic Leadership Puzzle—of writing, speaking, giving retreats and coming alongside pastors, leadership teams, and ministry groups in assisting them in implementing the ideas found within my book are all with the hope that by being attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit, we may save souls, make saints, and transform the world.
If you would like to learn more about how I might be able to help you and your ministry do what Pope Leo speaks about, then reach out and let’s talk!
