Remain with Jesus in prayer, Pope emphasizes to new bishops

September 11, 2026

In an address to participants in a formation course for 147 new bishops from around the world, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of remaining with Jesus in prayer.

“First of all, remain with Jesus: among the many things you will be called to do as bishops, this is the most important” Pope Leo said on September 10 in Synod Hall, as he reflected on the course’s theme, “Bishops, servants of communion in the Church and in today’s world.”

The Pope explained:

We are bishops, but we are first and foremost disciples. To speak of Him, we need to be with Him; to lead His people, we must allow ourselves to be guided by Him every day. ‘He appointed twelve”, whom he called apostles “to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach’ (Mk 3:14). This is the order of the Gospel: to be with Him and, through Him, to be sent out. Let us never forget this.

Therefore, always cherish your time with the Lord: the Eucharist, the Word of God, prayer and those moments when you can be in His presence with the simple heart of a disciple who allows himself to be loved by his Lord. Our ministry stems from there. And when the heart remains close to Him, our service too becomes more serene, free and fruitful.

Pope Leo also advised the new bishops

• to “have the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd, a heart completely devoted to the Father and, precisely for this reason, totally given to your brethren”
• to manifest “sollicitudo pastoralis, pastoral care. It does not simply mean having many responsibilities. It is something deeper: it is carrying your people in your heart.”
• to “love your priests. May they find in each of you a father and a brother.”
• to embody the “service of love. Our preaching is an act of love, as are listening, prayer, discernment, the time we devote to people, and our very presence.”

“Dearest brothers, as you return to your Churches, take this certainty with you: the Lord, who has called you, is faithful,” the Pope concluded. “He will go before you on the road, accompany you on your journey and, through the gift of his Holy Spirit, enlighten you every day. And may Mary, Mother of the Church, always watch over you and the people entrusted to your care.”

The formation course began on September 2 and concluded yesterday. L’Osservatore Romano reported that the topics covered in the course included “liturgy, mission, abuse, new sects, administration, justice, and transparency, as well as synodality, priestly formation, the clergy crisis, and interreligious dialogue.”

 

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Further information:

• Participants in the Formation Course for New Bishops (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 9/10/26)
• Audience of the Holy Father with new Bishops participating in the formation course “Bishops, servants of communion in the Church and in today’s world” (Holy See Press Office, 9/10/26)
• Pope: Bishops must carry everyone in their heart, like Christ (Vatican News, 9/10/26)
• La missione comincia dalla fiducia (L'Osservatore Romano, 9/10/26)