One in Christ, united in mission.

31st Missionary Day

Admiring the missionaries, both men and women, I make a special appeal to the Church: that we all unite with them in the evangelizing mission through the witness of life in Christ, prayer, and contribution to the missions. Often, as we well know, "Love is not loved," as Saint Francis of Assisi said, to whom we look in a particular way on the eight hundredth anniversary of his passing into Heaven.

Let us be inspired by his desire to live in the love of the Lord and to transmit it to those near and far, because, as he affirmed, "we must love much the love of Him who loved us so much." We are also encouraged by the zeal of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who resolved to continue her mission even after death, declaring: "In Heaven, I will desire the same thing as on earth: to love Jesus and to make Him loved.".

Encouraged by these testimonies, let us all commit ourselves to contributing, each according to their own vocation and gifts received, to the great evangelizing mission, which is always a work of love. Your prayers and your concrete support, especially on the occasion of World Mission Day, will be a great help in bringing the Gospel of God's love to all, especially the poorest and most needy. Every gift, even the smallest, becomes a significant act of missionary communion. Therefore, I renew my sincere thanks "for all that you will do to help me help missionaries throughout the world."«

(Pope Leo XIV, message 2026)