Pope Leo XIV has urged religious men and women to rise as modern evangelists, combating the chaos of today’s “confusing and noisy society.” Speaking through a message released on December 12, 2025, during a Vatican gathering honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Pontiff addressed priests, seminarians, and religious studying in Rome, framing their vocation as a spiritual battle for souls in an era of distraction and doubt.
Drawing parallels to biblical figures, the Pope’s words echo the mission of Jonah, who, after divine prompting, marched into the vast city of Nineveh proclaiming repentance. The prophet declared, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” sparking a citywide fast and turnaround that averted God’s wrath. Similarly, Nehemiah’s unyielding resolve shines through amid plots from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah. When lured to abandon his wall-rebuilding efforts, Nehemiah retorted, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down,” completing the rebuilding of the city wall despite fear-mongering and deception.
Not just for the religious but especially for young men, Pope Leo XIV message positions this as a worthy crusade: a quest to announce Christ’s primacy without flinching from societal pressure. “Since we live in a confusing society of noise, today more than ever we need servants and disciples who announce the absolute primacy of Christ and who keep His voice clearly in their ears and hearts,” the Pope stated.
This isn’t about cloistered piety but active warfare against apathy, the Pontiff implies, entrusting the mission to Mary’s guidance. He urges that anyone engaged in this spiritual battle must detach from fleeting applause, judge less, and proclaim the Gospel to the weak and wayward, becoming instruments of salvation. As global youth grapple with digital overload and moral ambiguity, this papal rallying cry could ignite a new wave of faith-driven action, rebuilding spiritual walls and calling nations to repentance.