Pope Leo XIV has praised Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen as a model for missionaries worldwide ahead of his beatification on September 24. Speaking to National Directors of The Pontifical Mission Societies from more than 120 countries, the Pope highlighted Sheen's evangelizing legacy, his commitment to the missions, and the enduring importance of World Mission Sunday as the Church celebrates its centenary.
By Inés San Martín, editor of MISSION Magazine
Pope Leo XIV on Monday praised Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the former National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, calling him a "light of faith, hope, and love" and holding him up as an example for missionaries around the world ahead of his beatification later this year.
His praise of Archbishop Sheen came as Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States and the first to have spent most of his priesthood as a missionary, addressed the General Assembly of The Pontifical Mission Societies, which brought together in Rome National Directors from more than 120 countries.
"It is also providential that this year, on 24 September, in St. Louis Missouri, a renowned National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States of America, the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, will be beatified," Pope Leo said.
The Pope praised the American archbishop, who served as National Director of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966, for using the communications tools of his day to proclaim the Gospel and support the Church's missionary work.
"Archbishop Sheen was a light of faith, hope, and love that shone through the radio and television media for decades," the Pope said. "His broadcasts touched millions with the hope of the Gospel and his initiatives and efforts resulted in enormous spiritual and material aid to the churches in areas of first evangelization."
Pope Leo concluded his reflection on Sheen by expressing the hope that the future blessed would continue to inspire missionary leaders throughout the world.
"May our new Blessed be an example for all of the National and Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies throughout the world," he said.
The Pope's remarks came during an audience with participants in the annual General Assembly of The Pontifical Mission Societies, held in Rome and attended by National Directors responsible for promoting the Church's missionary activity in their respective countries.
In his address, Pope Leo also highlighted another major milestone for the missionary movement: the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which will be celebrated this year on Oct. 18.
"This year marks the hundredth anniversary of establishing, at the request of the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith, the penultimate Sunday of October as World Mission Sunday by my predecessor Pope Pius XI," the Pope said.
For a century, he noted, the annual observance has invited Catholics worldwide to unite in prayer, sacrifice and generosity for the Church's mission in territories where the Gospel is still being proclaimed for the first time and where local churches are young.
"On this day, every Catholic community is invited to pray and offer spiritual and material sacrifices for the missionary efforts in areas of first evangelization and the support of young churches," he said.
The Pope thanked National Directors and their collaborators across the globe for promoting the annual celebration and fostering solidarity among Catholics.
"I am happy to express my gratitude to all of you and to everyone who works with you throughout the world, for all of your efforts, great and small, in promoting World Mission Day in every ecclesiastical circumscription in the universal communion of the Church," he said.
Pope Leo emphasized that the collection taken on World Mission Sunday remains essential for supporting the Church's missionary work. Through the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the funds assist more than 1,130 ecclesiastical jurisdictions that depend on the Dicastery for Evangelization, helping them establish essential ecclesiastical infrastructure and support missionary initiatives in territories of first evangelization.
The Pope also pointed to another anniversary being celebrated this year: the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, founded by Blessed Paolo Manna and later declared pontifical by Pope Pius XII.
Recalling that St. Paul VI described the Missionary Union as the "soul" of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Pope Leo encouraged all the baptized to embrace its mission.
"I encourage all to participate in its mission of fostering among all the baptized an ever more fervent missionary spirituality and a deeper commitment to the Church's universal mission of evangelization in this new missionary age," he said.
Reflecting on the theme chosen for World Mission Sunday 2026 — "One in Christ, united in mission" — the Pope said it both commemorates the centenary of the celebration and points to the Church's future missionary calling.
"The theme for this year's World Mission Sunday — One in Christ, united in mission — highlights the unity of believers and marks the 100th anniversary of this global celebration," he said. "It invites all of the members of the Church to a deeper communion in Christ and to a fuller unity in his divine mission of love."
The theme, he continued, reflects Christ's prayer for unity before his Passion and "call[s] for a missionary renewal in the Church in the years ahead."
Quoting the Second Vatican Council's teaching that the Church is missionary by her very nature, Pope Leo urged the National Directors to embrace what he called an "ongoing missionary conversion."
"I invite you all to appreciate the urgency of embracing an ongoing missionary conversion and to look together for ways of being a missionary Church for the healing of our world, so fraught with tensions, conflicts and wars," he said.
The Pope situated the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies within the broader challenges facing the world today, saying that in a world "increasingly marked by division, war and conflict among nations and peoples," the missionary societies provide "an invaluable service to the Church's mission of proclaiming Christ, the Prince of Peace and the incarnate revelation of Divine Love for humanity."
Pope Leo also highlighted the work of two of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. He praised the Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood for bringing "the light of faith and the consolation of Christian charity to children throughout the world, especially in regions afflicted by hatred and violence."
He likewise underscored the importance of the Pontifical Mission Society of St. Peter Apostle, which promotes and sustains the formation of indigenous clergy and consecrated religious in mission territories. In many places, he noted, seminarians and novices would lack the necessary means for their human, spiritual and pastoral formation without the Society's assistance.
Calling the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies "essential," the Pope encouraged the directors to persevere in their service to the Church's mission.
"Let us therefore continue our missionary journey with joy and renewed zeal," he said.
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