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Pope Leo calls on Church in France to nuture seeds of faith
Addressing France’s synodal assembly, catechumen,s and newly baptized Catholics, Pope Leo XIV highlights the growing number of adults approaching the faith and urges the Church to accompany them beyond Baptism.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV has called on the Church in France to become a “Church in a state of initiation,” capable of welcoming, accompanying, and integrating the growing number of adults who are seeking the faith or returning to it.
Speaking on Saturday at the Catholic University of Paris, during the second day of his Apostolic Journey to France, the Pope addressed members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens, and newly baptized Christians. He reflected on what he described as signs of God’s action in a society marked by deep secularisation.
“I am struck by the number of people returning to the threshold of the faith, and by the many adults seeking the sacraments of Christian initiation,” Pope Leo said, expressing gratitude for the testimonies of Jaodie, Marielle and Sophie.
A sign of God’s grace
The Pope said the growing number of people rediscovering the Gospel and embracing the faith may appear paradoxical in contemporary France, but should be recognized as “a tangible sign of the action of God’s grace” that goes beyond statistical and sociological analysis.
He warned against both defeatism and complacency, recalling Pope Francis’ criticism of what he called “sterile pessimism.”
Instead, Pope Leo urged the Church to recognise and protect what he described as “the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night” and “the tiny seed that strives to grow even amid the thorns.”
This, he said, requires concrete pastoral initiatives and a willingness to ask where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church in its accompaniment of catechumens, newly baptized Catholics, and those “beginning anew.”
A Church that accompanies
Recalling an expression previously used by the French Bishops, Pope Leo urged the faithful to envision and embody a Church “in a state of initiation.”
Such a Church, he explained, must offer those entering the faith “solid and steadfast guidance” over time. He pointed to France’s longstanding pastoral experience in Christian initiation, including developments following the Second World War and the renewal of the catechumenate associated with the Second Vatican Council.
Christian initiation, he stressed, does not conclude with the reception of the Sacraments.
Those newly approaching the faith should be welcomed with respect for their personal histories and spiritual experiences, while the Christian community has the responsibility to continue accompanying them after Baptism.
The Pope referred in particular to the danger of “post-baptismal emptiness,” highlighted in one of the testimonies he had heard. He called for newly baptized Christians to be fully integrated into parish communities and prayer gatherings and to receive comprehensive formation in Scripture, theology, doctrine and Christian moral life.
The liturgy at the heart of initiation
Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of the liturgy in the process of Christian initiation.
The liturgy, he said, should not be viewed as something that comes “after” catechesis, merely applying what has already been learned. Rather, it makes Christ’s Paschal Mystery present and can itself reveal the meaning of the Gospel and the life of God.
Its rhythms, language, and rites, he explained, are part of the journey of conversion and preparation for the Sacraments.
Forming those who accompany others
The Pope underlined the importance of accompanying all Catholics throughout life.
Godparents and godmothers, he said, should receive appropriate preparation and formation, while pastoral workers need not only biblical, theological, liturgical and spiritual training but also the human qualities required to accompany people whose life experiences may include loneliness, suffering and other profound difficulties.
Such accompaniment requires what Pope Leo described as a style of “closeness, compassion and tenderness,” together with a respect for each person’s pace.
“It means adopting the style of ‘walking together,’” he said, reiterating that priests and laypeople, godparents and catechumens, pastoral leaders, and the newly baptized all have something to contribute to one another along the Christian journey.
‘Be missionaries of the Gospel’
Pope Leo pointed to Saint Augustine as an example of how a small beginning in faith can grow over time.
Augustine, he recalled, was introduced to the faith by Saint Ambrose, and at the time of his Baptism his faith was still “a tiny seed.” Yet that seed grew into a tree whose branches continue to offer shelter.
Looking at the catechumens and newly baptised Christians gathered before him, Pope Leo said he sees both the work of the Holy Spirit and “the promise of fruitfulness for the Church in France.”
“In turn, be missionaries of the Gospel in this society,” he told them.
Mission in everyday life
The Pope concluded by invoking the witness of French saints, including Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and Saint Martin of Tours.
Saint Thérèse, he said, teaches through her “little way” that trust opens the doors to grace, while Saint Martin represents sharing and fraternal charity.
Together with the many other saints of France, they remind Christians that mission is built today, above all, by remaining faithful to the Lord’s presence in daily life.
Finally, Pope Leo urged those present to welcome one another and together form “the living people of the Church in France, capable of passing on the faith.”
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