Pope Leo’s address to the General Assembly of the “Work of Mary” – Focolare Movement
Clementine Hall – Saturday, 21 March 2026
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
You have all been attracted by the charisma of the Servant of God, Chiara Lubich, which has shaped both your personal existence and the style of your community life.
Every charism in the Church (see note below) expresses an aspect of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit highlights in a given historical period, for the good of the Church herself and for the good of the entire world.
For you, this is the message of unity: unity among human beings, which is the fruit and reflection of Christ’s unity with the Father: “That they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee” (John 17:21).
You embody this spirit of unity above all amongst yourselves, bearing witness to it everywhere as a new possibility for a life of fraternity, reconciliation and joy amongst people of different ages, cultures, languages and religious beliefs.
It is a simple yet powerful seed that attracts thousands of men and women, inspiring vocations and generating a drive for evangelization and social, cultural, artistic and economic works that promote ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.
This leaven of unity is greatly needed today, as the poison of division and conflict contaminates hearts and social relationships, and must be countered with the Gospel’s message of unity, dialogue, forgiveness and peace.
Over the past decades, God has prepared a great people of peace through you, who are called to act as a counterweight and a bulwark against the many sowers of hatred dragging humanity back to barbarism and violence at this very moment in history.
Dear friends, in addition to bearing witness to unity and peace, you have been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the charism of your movement during the post-foundational phase. This phase extends beyond the first generational transition following the founder’s death.
Now is the time for you to discern together which aspects of your communal life and apostolate are essential and must therefore be maintained, and which are tools and practices that, although long in use, are not essential to the charism and have presented problematic aspects, and should therefore be abandoned.
This phase also requires strong commitment to transparency from those in positions of responsibility at all levels.
Transparency is, on the one hand a prerequisite for credibility, and on the other, it is required because the charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit for which all members are responsible.
Therefore members have the right and the duty to feel that they are partners in the Work they have dedicated themselves.
Remember, too, that member involvement always adds value: it stimulates the growth of individuals and the Work, bringing out the latent resources and potential of each person and fostering a sense of responsibility, while promoting the contribution of all.
The responsibility for common discernment, which has been entrusted to you all, also encompasses the translation of the charism of unity into styles of community life that allow the beauty of the Gospel’s newness to shine through while respecting the freedom and conscience of individuals and valuing the gifts and uniqueness of each person.
In His priestly prayer, Jesus said, “that they may all be one”, and then added, “even as thou art in me and I in thee” (Jn 17:21). This relates the unity among the disciples to a higher unity: that between the Father and the Son.
This means that the unity you strive for and bear witness to is primarily achieved “in God”, through the fulfilment of His holy will. Consequently, it is realized in shared commitment to communion and community life, guided and sustained by those entrusted with this service.
Unity is a gift, a task and a call addressed to each one of us.
Everyone is called to discern God’s will and how the truth of the Gospel can be realized in various community or apostolic situations.
On this path of discernment, everyone must exercise fraternity, sincerity and frankness, and, above all, humility and freedom from their own point of view.
Unity in God is an evangelical sign with a prophetic force that promotes the contribution of all.
Unity must not be understood as uniformity of thought, opinion or lifestyle. Indeed, this could lead to the devaluation of one’s own convictions and restrict personal freedom and the ability to listen to one’s conscience.
Chiara Lubich affirmed that the basis of every rule is charity (cf. Preface to the Statutes).
Unity must therefore be constantly nourished and sustained by mutual charity, demanding magnanimity, benevolence and respect. This is the kind of charity that is not boastful or proud; that does not seek its own interests or keep a record of wrongs, but that rejoices only in the truth (1 Corinthians. 13:4–6).
Dear friends,
Let us thank the Lord together for the great spiritual family born from Chiara Lubich’s charism.
Thank Him for the young people present in your groups who clearly see the beauty of the call to be instruments of unity and peace in the world.
Thank God for families who have been renewed and strengthened by the presence of Jesus in their lives.
Thank the Lord for the bishops, priests and consecrated men and women who have had their ministry and religious life renewed through contact with your movement and spirituality.
Let us thank God for the many Focolare members who continue to live a life of prayer, work, dialogue and evangelization throughout the world with heroic dedication, following the apostolic model of the first generations of Christians.
And let us give thanks for the countless fruits of holiness, both known and unknown, that your promotion of the Gospel has brought to the Church over these years.
I encourage you to continue on your journey and I bless you wholeheartedly, invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary upon you all, that she may protect you and accompany you always with her maternal help. Thank you!
I have heard that you enjoy singing, so let’s sing the Lord’s Prayer together: ‘Our Father…’
Note: a charism is a spiritual gift or talent granted by God for the benefit of others
