VATICAN CITY (Realist English). Pope Leo addressed nearly 200 newly appointed bishops on Thursday, September 11, offering wide-ranging guidance on the challenges of episcopal ministry during a dialogue in the Synod Hall at the Vatican.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope encouraged bishops to confront fears and feelings of inadequacy with prayer, trust in the Holy Spirit, and closeness to their communities. He stressed that ready-made answers from seminary days were insufficient, urging bishops instead to be “pastors close to the people,” capable of listening, discernment, and dialogue.
“Synodality is not a pastoral method but a style of the Church,” he said, calling on the bishops to “be builders of bridges” and to enhance the role of the laity while promoting what he described as a “disarmed and disarming peace.”
The Pope addressed several sensitive issues. On clerical misconduct, he said inappropriate behavior by clergy must be dealt with swiftly and transparently, balancing mercy with justice for both victims and accused. On social media, he warned of the risks of falsehoods and urged prudence, advising bishops to remain calm, seek professional guidance, and prioritize truth.
He also discouraged the formation of insular groups, urging openness to collaboration with emeritus bishops and dialogue with people of other faiths, especially where Christians are in the minority. “By the way you love one another, they will recognize you,” he said.
Pope Leo linked his message to wider global concerns, encouraging bishops to integrate the themes of Laudato si’ into pastoral work on the tenth anniversary of the encyclical. He underscored the Church’s responsibility in addressing environmental crises without compromising Christian anthropology.
Other themes included seminary formation, missionary cooperation with lay movements, the need for bishops to remain visibly close to the suffering, and the spiritual needs of youth, who, he warned, cannot satisfy their thirst for God in either virtual settings or routine parish life alone.
Concluding the audience, Pope Leo thanked the bishops for their “yes” to episcopal ministry, assured them of his prayers, and greeted each personally after imparting his blessing.