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Pope Leo XIV Urges Catholics to Pray and Fast for Vocations
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV called on Catholics to pray and fast for vocations during his visit to Uruguay, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to Christ.
Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to pray and fast for vocations, urging them to make Christ the center of their lives. During the celebration of Vespers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Saints Philip and James in Montevideo on November 6, as part of his Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, the Pope emphasized the importance of faithfulness to one's vocation.
Welcoming young people who have begun formation for the priesthood and consecrated life, Pope Leo expressed joy at their generous responses to Christ's love. He also reflected on the challenges faced by those in religious and priestly life, including moments when work appears fruitless or personal strength diminishes.
The Pope highlighted the example of Blessed Jacinto Vera, Uruguay's first Bishop, emphasizing his missionary work, service to the poor, and deep prayerfulness. He encouraged Christians in Uruguay to make Christ known through their actions and care for others, noting that one of the secrets of evangelization is to resemble the One whom they proclaim.
Addressing the clergy and religious, Pope Leo acknowledged their years of service and the many ways through which they have brought Christ's love to others. He emphasized the importance of remaining close to Christ, stating, 'Faithfulness to our vocation calls us to return again and again to Jesus Christ; to let Him be our treasure, the one whom we wish to resemble.'
Pope Leo also called on everyone present to remain united through the Holy Spirit and support one another, especially during difficult moments. He noted that despite secularization, there is a growing hunger for God among the young, and urged sisters to inspire young people to be courageous in responding to Jesus.
During a Mass at Campo Verano Cemetery on Nov. 2, Pope Leo emphasized the unbroken bond with the faithful departed, stating, 'Our faith in Christ tells us that our bond with the faithful departed is not severed, but transformed.'
The Pope's visit to Uruguay comes at a time when the share of Uruguayan Catholics has fallen from 60 percent in 1997 to just 33 percent today. Despite this decline, Pope Leo's message of faithfulness and unity resonated strongly with the faithful, drawing a fervent crowd at the Stade de France in Paris.
Pope Leo also received letters and messages from individuals detained in a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) processing facility near Chicago and from Catholics active in providing immigrants and refugees with spiritual and pastoral support.
Background
Pope Leo XIV honored Chinese Catholics for their unity during a visit to Rome, where he met with members of the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership (CSPL) and addressed the 'Sinicization of Catholicism' initiative.
Surrounded by the tombs and monuments of Rome's largest cemetery, Pope Leo XIV celebrated All Souls' Day Mass at Campo Verano Cemetery on Nov. 2, 2026, according to Florida Catholic Media and TheCatholicSpirit.com.
What's confirmed
- VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV received letters and messages from individuals detained in a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) processing facility near Chicago and from Catholics active in providing immigrants and refugees with spiritual and pastoral support.
What's still developing
- "Just by looking at him, it seemed as though he were always in prayer."
- “As many of us have personally experienced, Christ’s call to follow him with an undivided heart through vows of poverty, chastity and obedience brings joy, peace and fulfillment,” said Pope Leo, who entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine at age 21.
- Photo: CNS /Lola Gomez POPE Leo XIV has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace for today, Friday, August 22, coinciding with the liturgical feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- "May parishes, families, and religious communities join in this prayer, and may this country’s example encourage many others to pray with the same trust!" he appealed.
- Though international pop star Céline Dion was touring through Paris the same nights as the pope, Leo drew a bigger crowd and a fervor tantamount to that of a rockstar at the Stade de France, inciting passionate cheers and more than a few teary eyes from the spectators.
- VATICAN CITY (OSV News) – One week after Pope Leo XIV first revealed to the world that he would be undergoing lung surgery, the pope returned to the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Oct. 18, thanking Catholics worldwide for their prayers five days after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
- In a press release accompanying the Pope’s message, the WYD 2027 organisers urged those registering to do so as groups.
- With the May 8 election of Pope Leo XIV, many commentators noted that the last Leonine pontificate gave us Catholic social teaching, that branch of moral theology that rose out of the experience of Catholics during the Industrial Revolution.
- Pope Leo XIV Meets the Chicago Catholics Who Sued Trump to Minister to ICE Detainees Subscribe Sign in Pope Leo XIV Meets the Chicago Catholics Who Sued Trump to Minister to ICE Detainees The Chicago delegation carried a banner quoting his call for a “holy rebellion” and handed him letters from detainees.
- The pope also prayed for victims of war, recalled the Pardon of Assisi, and urged Catholics to witness to the Eucharist by blessing meals and sharing with those in need.
- “One of my own personal heroes, one of my favorite saints, is St. Augustine of Hippo,” the pope told 16,000 young Catholics meeting in Indianapolis.