Pope Leo XIV met with leaders and members of the Neocatechumenal Way at the Vatican on Monday, January 19, 2026, expressing gratitude for their missionary work while encouraging them to remain firmly rooted in unity with the wider Church. Addressing bishops, priests, families, and catechists gathered in the Hall of Blessings, the Holy Father emphasized joy, humility, and communion as essential marks of their vocation.
Founded in Spain in the 1960s by Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández, the Neocatechumenal Way is an itinerary of Catholic formation centered on the rediscovery of Baptism and ongoing growth in faith. It is now present in 139 countries and includes more than 20,000 communities worldwide. Members of the international leadership team, along with hundreds of representatives from around the world, were present for the audience.
Pope Leo highlighted the missionary charism that defines the Neocatechumenal Way, calling it a valuable contribution to the Church’s evangelizing mission. He offered particular encouragement to the families who leave behind the stability of ordinary life to serve in distant or challenging regions, motivated by a desire to proclaim the Gospel and witness to God’s love. These itinerant teams of families, catechists, and priests, he noted, share directly in the Church’s responsibility to bring Christ to the world.
The Holy Father reflected on how this mission has helped reawaken faith both among those who have never encountered Jesus Christ and among baptized Christians whose faith has grown dormant. Through sustained accompaniment and witness, he said, many individuals and communities have rediscovered the joy of faith, the beauty of knowing Christ, and a renewed commitment to Christian life.
At the same time, Pope Leo stressed the importance of unity within the Church. He reminded the members that Baptism unites all believers into the one Body of Christ, forming a single family. While the Holy Spirit grants diverse charisms, these gifts are always given for the good of the whole Church and must be lived in harmony. No ministry or charism, he cautioned, should become a cause for division, exclusion, or a sense of superiority. Charity alone orders and perfects every gift.
The Pope encouraged the Neocatechumenal Way to exercise spiritual discernment and inner vigilance, remaining attentive to potential risks such as rigidity or moralism.
Pope Leo concluded by thanking the Neocatechumenal Way for its joyful witness and faithful service, imparting his blessing and encouraging them to continue their mission as builders and witnesses of communion within the Church and the world.