Focus on the essentials and do not be afraid, Pope tells Arab bishops

September 03, 2026

Pope Leo XIV today encouraged the members of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions to focus on the essentials of the Christian faith and “not to give in to either fear or resignation.”

“In the midst of emergencies, do not lose sight of the essence of the Church’s mission: the proclamation of the Gospel, prayer, the Sacraments and Christian formation,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place late this morning. “A Church capable of serving must be first and foremost a Church who prays, listens to the Word and lives the Sacraments.”

“Your mission does not consist simply of preserving a Christian presence, but of making Christ present always: proclaiming Him in the Word, celebrating Him in the Sacraments, encountering Him in prayer and recognizing Him in the poor, the suffering, migrants and in every person placed under your care,” the Pope continued.

In encouraging the bishops not to give in to fear, the Pope recalled the example of recent martyrs and said:

Do not be afraid of your smallness. The fruitfulness of the Church is not measured in numbers, structures or resources, but in fidelity to the Gospel. A small community, if rooted in Christ, can be a valuable presence: not because it seeks power, but because it serves; not because it imposes itself, but because it bears witness; not because it responds to violence with more violence, but because it counters force with charity ...

Do not be afraid to sow without immediately seeing the fruits. The sowing is yours; the growth is God’s. No act carried out in the name of Christ is in vain: a prayer, a word of consolation, a family supported, a child brought up in the faith, or a poor person welcomed are the seeds of a new future.

“Dear Brothers, continue on your journey with confidence,” the Pontiff added. “You are not alone. The universal Church looks upon your communities with affection and recognizes in their perseverance, in the faith lived out in the face of adversity, and in the courage of their service, a precious witness for the whole Church.”

 

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Further information:

• Members of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA) (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 9/3/26)
• Audience with members of the Conference of the Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions (CELRA) (Holy See Press Office, 9/3/26)
• Pope: Amid conflict, Church must bear witness to service and hope (Vatican News, 9/3/26)