Pope Leo XIV reminded 147 newly appointed bishops on September 10 that their primary vocation is not administrative but spiritual: to remain in close communion with Christ. The address, reported by ewtnnews.com, took place in the Synod Hall of the Vatican during an audience with participants of a recent formation course in Rome.

The Holy Father emphasized that while these prelates hold high office, their identity is rooted first in discipleship. “We are bishops, but first and foremost we are disciples,” Pope Leo XIV said. He framed episcopal ministry as an amoris officium, or service of love, drawing on the theology of St. Augustine to describe the proper posture of church leadership.

Pastoral Solicitude and Personal Knowledge

The formation course, themed “Bishops, Servants of Communion in the Church and in Today’s World,” aimed to strengthen ecclesial unity and equip leaders with practical ministry tools, as first reported by the EWTN News. Participants represented five continents, including Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, hailing from nations such as India, Kenya, Colombia, and the Philippines.

Pope Leo XIV urged the bishops to cultivate sollicitudo pastoralis, or pastoral solicitude, which he described as essential to episcopal fatherhood. This involves knowing the people within their dioceses by name and offering particular care to priests, especially those who are elderly or ill. “No bishop walks alone,” the pope stated, highlighting the communal nature of their shared mission.

Technology and Human Dignity

The pontiff also addressed the rapid evolution of communication technologies and artificial intelligence. Referencing his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV called on bishops to safeguard human dignity in an era increasingly shaped by digital tools. This focus aligns with his broader emphasis on solidarity over isolation, as seen in his previous teachings on human dignity.

The audience occurred a year after the Church celebrated the Jubilee of Hope, a period marked by renewed calls for global peace and unity.