Pope Leo XIV welcomed the Servants of Mary to Rome as they gathered for their 215th General Chapter, offering them fatherly encouragement for the path ahead. He reflected on their cherished place in the life of the Church, reminding them that the heart of their vocation is a deep love for God that naturally flows into generous love for neighbor. For the Holy Father, this is the surest way to become authentic witnesses of friendship and peace in a world marked by division.
He invited the congregation to return often to the Gospel, to the Rule of St. Augustine, and to the rich spiritual heritage entrusted to them over the centuries. These foundations, he said, help them discern how the Lord continues to speak through His Word, especially when they seek the grace to listen to those who suffer. The cry of the poor, he noted, is never a burden but an invitation to rediscover the meaning of consecrated life, which is always rooted in service.
Turning to the origins of the Servites, Pope Leo highlighted that the order was not founded by a single visionary, but by a group of believers united by strong Christian friendship. Their beginnings reveal a vocation centered on fraternity, one that the Church continues to need with great urgency. In societies marked by conflict, inequality, and cultural distance, the witness of religious brothers living in unity becomes a clear sign of the peace Christ desires for all His people. The Pope encouraged the Servants of Mary to continue offering this gift wherever discord threatens the dignity of the human family.
He also emphasized the three hallmarks of their tradition: fraternity, service, and devotion to Mary. Authentic living of the Gospel, he explained, stirs both zeal for God and compassionate attention to those who are wounded. From this union of prayer and charity come the decisions that lead religious men into the places where others may hesitate to go. The Holy Father thanked them for their commitment to the poor, including migrants, prisoners, and the sick, as well as their dedication to safeguarding creation and promoting an integral approach to human ecology.