Pope Leo: None of the baptised are exempt from mission

In a world of ever-deepening conflict, the proclamation of the Gospel calls for peaceful hearts and reconciled spirits, able to nurture unity.

That’s the message that Pope Leo XIV has shared ahead of the 100th World Mission Day, established a century ago by Pope Pius XI.

The World Day will be celebrated on October 18, under the theme "One in Christ, united in mission."

At the heart of mission, the Pope writes, is the "mystery of union with Christ."

The Church’s very identity is to be “a communion that flows from the Trinity, and continues to be sustained by the Trinity.  A communion at the service of fraternity among all human beings and harmony with all creation.”

The primary responsibility of the Church in mission, the Pope writes, is the renewal of spiritual and fraternal unity among its members – and he therefore expressed his hope for increased ecumenical engagement between Christian Churches.