Vatican City – This morning, in the Sala del Concistoro of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV met with the participants of the course for diocesan officers of liturgical pastoral care promoted by the Pontifical Liturgical Institute Sant’Anselmo. The audience went far beyond the usual institutional greeting, taking the shape of a genuine programmatic address on liturgical formation, the care of the Word of God, the quality of the participation of the People of God, and the future of liturgical pastoral ministry in individual dioceses. From the very first lines, the Pope made his direction unmistakably clear: the liturgy is not an ornamental detail of ecclesial life but its beating heart. He greeted the faculty and participants, acknowledging the value of their path, which reflects the dual mission of the PIL: fidelity to the liturgical tradition and the reform desired by the II Vatican Council, as reaffirmed by Sacrosanctum Concilium.
The Pope recalled the words of Benedict XVI and the appeal of Pope Francis in Desiderio desideravi, which urged the diffusion of accessible liturgical formation for all the faithful. Echoing that teaching, Leo XIV stressed: “It is necessary to find channels for a formation that studies the liturgy […] so that every member of the faithful may grow in a knowledge of the theological meaning of the liturgy.” The orientation is clear: it is not enough for the liturgy to be celebrated well; it must also be understood.
Biblical formation and the care of lectors: “Clear diction, the ability to sing the responsorial psalm”
One of the most significant sections of the address was dedicated to instituted lectors and to those who regularly proclaim the Word during liturgical celebrations. Here the Pope was direct: “Ensure thorough preparation for instituted lectors and for those who read the Scriptures regularly in celebrations.”
This formation, he explained, cannot be reduced to minimal technique; it must include: basic biblical competence, clear diction, the ability to sing the responsorial psalm, and the capacity to compose the prayer of the faithful. For the Pope, these are not aesthetic additions but “important aspects that implement the liturgical reform and help the People of God grow along their journey.” The link is unmistakable: a liturgy that is well cared for in its proclamation of the Word is a liturgy that generates community and living faith.
A call against liturgical protagonism
The Pope also addressed a widespread dynamic in many communities: forms of liturgical protagonism that have little to do with real service. Parish life is familiar with the presence of elderly parishioners who, despite difficulties in proclaiming or singing, insist on taking visible roles during Mass. With realism and pastoral insight, the Pope indicated another path: formation. Ministries are not designed for self-display but for service. And true service requires serious preparation, because a well-celebrated liturgy is not a stage but the place where the People of God are accompanied into the mystery being celebrated.
Permanent liturgical formation: “There is still a long way to go”
The Pope acknowledged the progress made since the Council but did not hide what is still lacking: “Many steps forward have been taken, but there is still a long way to go.” He therefore urged directors of liturgical pastoral care not to tire and to courageously promote the good initiatives of the reform, together with the search for “new paths and new methods.” He reiterated that the diocesan liturgical office is responsible for ongoing liturgical formation for clergy and laity, for the preparation of ministers, and for the care of liturgical groups and altar servers. Its mission remains to foster fruitful participation and a dignified liturgy, “sober in its solemnity,” yet attentive to the sensitivities of communities.
Liturgy of the Hours, popular devotion, church architecture: three areas to safeguard
In another strong passage, the Pope highlighted three areas often neglected in ordinary pastoral care: promotion of the Liturgy of the Hours, care for popular devotion, and attention to the celebratory dimension in sacred architecture. “These are themes you will address during the course and with which you deal every day,” he explained, recalling that new churches—and the liturgical adaptation of existing ones—must be oriented toward celebration, not mere functionality.
Liturgical groups: “Let’s avoid delegating everything to the parish priest”
Another section focused on the crisis of parish liturgical groups, often reduced or dissolved. Leo XIV pointed out the risk: the loss of shared responsibility, with the burden falling solely on the parish priest or a few volunteers. His directive is concrete: “The experience of a group, even small but well-motivated, committed to preparing the liturgy is an expression of a community that cares for its celebrations.” He encouraged directors to develop pathways to form or rebuild such groups so they may once again become vital components of parish life.
Pastoral creativity and liturgical mission in the Jubilee
In conclusion, the Pope offered a wish linked to the upcoming Jubilee Year: “May your time in Rome […] reinvigorate your spiritual energies.” He asked that the course not be perceived as a simple update but as an opportunity for personal and communal renewal, so that local Churches may continue “with renewed enthusiasm the pastoral action at the service of the liturgy.” Today's audience clearly outlined the liturgical vision of Pope Leo XIV: formation, quality of celebration, centrality of the Word of God, real participation, and community life. Key words such as formation, Word of God, liturgical groups, reform, sobriety, tradition, Council, participation emerged repeatedly, revealing a coherent direction. The liturgy, the Pope reminded, cannot be managed as a bureaucratic apparatus nor handled improvisationally: it is the place where the Church recognizes itself and is renewed. And it is precisely here that Leo XIV wants to begin again.
f.L.M.
Silere non possum