On September 11, 2025, Leo XIV received in an audience almost 200 newly appointed bishops participating in a training program in Rome. At the start of the morning's discussions, he defined the mission of a bishop as “service” and, following in the footsteps of Pope Francis, preached closeness to the people in the face of the “crisis of faith” and “ethical challenges.”
He gave the newly named bishops a brief speech and then the opportunity for questions and answers, personal greetings, and individual photographs with him.
Since September 3, 192 young bishops (nicknamed “baby bishops”) have been participating in various courses organized annually by the dicasteries for Bishops, for Eastern Churches, and for Evangelization. Among them, 78 bishops come from mission territories and 114 from countries with a Catholic tradition.
The two groups participate in some joint activities — a new feature introduced by Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost when he was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, the roll he held just before his election as pope.
The Holy Father spoke to the bishops about their identity in their role, but drew laughter when he admitted:
Perhaps some of you are still asking yourselves: Why was I chosen? At least, that is what I ask myself.
Improvising a few words in English at the beginning of the meeting, Leo XIV announced to the participants that there would be an open discussion after his speech.
“I would be very happy to listen to as many of you as possible, perhaps to have the chance for you to ask some questions, and in that way to be able to come to know one another a little bit,” he said, while conceding that “we have 200 bishops, only one pope, and not a lot of time.”
In his prepared speech, the Pontiff emphasized the spirit of service and closeness to the faithful. “Service is not an external characteristic or a way of exercising one's role,” he insisted, inscribing this dimension into the “identity” of the bishop.
Similarly, closeness to the faithful “is not an opportunistic strategy, but our essential condition,” he said.
Our only authority
Leo warned his listeners against “a certain craving for greatness” and invited them to meditate on the words of his predecessor Francis, assuring them that ”the only authority we have is service, humble service."
Throughout his text, the head of the Catholic Church reviewed the current context of the mission of bishops around the world. He noted that they are faced with a “crisis of faith and its transmission” and “difficulties related to belonging and ecclesial practice.”
He also cited “the tragedy of war and violence, the suffering of the poor, [...] the ethical problems that challenge us regarding the value of life and freedom.”
“At the same time, people who seem distant from the faith often return to knock on the doors of the Church,” the pontiff also pointed out.
Leo XIV expressed concern that the “new search for spirituality” observed in society “sometimes finds no adequate language or forms in the usual pastoral proposals.” He urged the new bishops to be “attentive and considerate pastors” and to share “the questions, anxieties, and hopes of the people.”
The morning continued with a time of dialogue behind closed doors, followed by individual greetings. At the beginning of the meeting, the Pope humorously referred to this opportunity for the bishops to take a souvenir photo to display in their episcopal residences.
