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Pope Leo XIV Links Faith and Progress at General Audience
Confirmed
In Short: During his General Audience on September 23, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that human work and scientific progress are not at odds with faith but can contribute to God’s plan for creation.
Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, addressing the fundamental question of the value of human activity in the world.
He affirmed that humans are the agents of progress, advancing society through freedom and intelligence, and lamented the modern prejudice that sees scientific and technical progress as weakening the relationship with God.
Pope Leo XIV also met with a delegation from Oriel College of the University of Oxford on September 4, urging academics to seek the truth courageously in the footsteps of St. John Henry Newman.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed seminarians from the Pius XI Pontifical Apulian Regional Seminary in Molfetta and the Interdiocesan Seminary of Aversa, emphasizing that the call of God is gratuitous and not based on any merit of theirs.
The Pope encouraged the Poor Clares not to be discouraged by their lack of vocations but to view it as a call to renew their commitment.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV’s remarks on the relationship between faith and progress add to his previous calls for international solidarity and peace, as well as his emphasis on unity and the challenges of modern fragmentation.
Background
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called for international solidarity with Somalia and a renewed commitment to peace in his Angelus address on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his name day on September 17, honoring St. Robert Bellarmine, a 17th-century Jesuit cardinal and Doctor of the Church.
What's confirmed
- Continuing his catechesis on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, the Pope addressed what the document calls a “fundamental” question: “What is the value of human activity in the world, and therefore of technical, social, and scientific progress?” Pope Leo clearly affirmed that “the human being is the agent of progress,” advancing society through freedom and intelligence.
What's still developing
- Vatican City, September 23, 2026: Human work and scientific progress are not opposed to faith but can participate in God’s plan for creation, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, reflecting on the Second Vatican Council’s Gaudium et spes.
- “Only in this way can it always be placed in the service of human dignity and promote the living conditions of all, especially the most disadvantaged,” he said.
- The Pope concluded by recalling the Second Vatican Council’s invitation “to share the bread of knowledge and know-how, so that every person and every people may develop their potential, and together, with God’s help, we may build a better future.” Catholic Connect is a platform for Catholics in India to stay better connected with the Church in multiple ways.
- (OSV News) — The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s general audience address given September 23 in St.
- Created in the image and likeness of God, the human being is the agent of progress.
- For this reason, some thinkers have portrayed scientific and technical progress as something that weakens man’s relationship with God, to the point of making it seem superfluous, or even as antagonistic to the Christian faith.
- In post-Christian humanisms, the human being and God are mistakenly presented as rivals: in order to assert his knowledge, his freedom and his progress, man would have to emancipate himself from God.
- “Do not be afraid of your smallness”: This was the encouragement offered by Pope Leo XIV to the bishops of the Conference of Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions (CELRA), who were received in audience at the Vatican on September 3, 2026.
- The Pope highlighted the “vast and complex reality” they face in the 17 countries under their jurisdiction, which are marked by “political, social, and religious tensions.” He urged them to continue their mission despite the small size of their communities and the hardships endured by the people under their care.
- Pope Leo XIV paid special tribute to the many Christians who have died as witnesses to the faith in these regions.
- Molfetta is commemorating the centenary of its new premises — commissioned by Pope Pius XI, after whom the seminary is named — while Aversa is celebrating the tercentenary of the opening of its current facility.
- The Pope also highlighted God’s freedom, from which every vocation springs.
Sources
- Catholic Connectlink
- OSV Newslink
- Aleteialink
- Ncregisterlink
- Ewtnnewslink
- Ucanewslink
- Detroitcatholiclink
- Indcatholicnewslink
- Zenitlink
- Ewtnvaticanlink
- Therecordnewspaperlink
- 2Newslink
- WarpBeat — background on Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus address given Sept. 20, 2026 link
- WarpBeat — background on Why Sept. 17 is a holiday in Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV’s ‘name day’ explained link
- Vatican News — video link