Pope Leo XIV. on Monday published an apostolic letter dedicated to priestsin which he called for changes in their preparation. He emphasized that the formation of clergy should not be limited to the time of study in the seminary, but must also continue after ordination, DPA reported. TASR writes about it. According to the Pope constant human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral renewal of priests is necessary, so that they can adequately respond to the challenges of the present time.
Leo XIV. he also touched on the cases in the letter sexual abuse by clergy. “This crisis of trust in the church caused by abuse by some clergy it fills us with shame and leads to humility,” he admitted. In his traditional Christmas address to the Roman Curia – the administrative and governing body of the Holy See – the Pope also called for unity in the church. According to him, community remains a permanent challenge and striving for superiority must end.
He emphasized the need for “better cooperation” between priests, which would protect them from the risks arising from loneliness. At the beginning of his letter, Leo XIV. he also recalled his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died in April 2025. He recalled that Francis significantly influenced the direction of the church and he called her to return to mercy.
During his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis used to call on the Roman Curia in his Christmas addresses to end the power approach and analyze its own procedures, which more than once he caused the displeasure of his co-workers. In a particularly sharp speech in December 2014, Francis spoke of 15 ills threatening the curia, including “spiritual Alzheimer’s disease, mental and spiritual fossilization, the disease of idle talk, and the disease of rivalry and temper.”
Leo XIV, who is more diplomatic, delivered a message with a similar content, but chose a moderate tone and he preferred to emphasize efforts for unity and community. Faced with the “logic of selfishness and individualism”, the Pope urged solidarity and called on church institutions to remain missional and not get stuck in bureaucratic delays. He asked the staff of the Vatican, to adopt a “style of simplicity and humility”.
