ROME — On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV initiated a weeklong celebration dedicated to Catholic clergy with a heartfelt message aimed at seminarians, urging them to embrace joy and honesty. This message is notably uplifting, especially following Pope Francis’s frequent critiques of priests and his condemnation of “clericalism.”
As the first American to hold the papacy, Leo led a spirited gathering of thousands of young men in Rome celebrating a special Jubilee week for seminarians, priests, and bishops. The scene inside St. Peter’s Basilica was akin to a vibrant concert, with seminarians energetically waving national flags and frequently interrupting Leo with cheers and cries of “Papa Leone.” They even leaned against barriers to kiss his ring as he passed through.
In his address, Leo expressed gratitude to the seminarians for their commitment to the church, acknowledging their vitality as the fuel of hope within the church’s life. He encouraged them to possess courage, joy, and truthfulness, advising against wearing masks or living hypocritically.
“You must also learn to name and communicate sadness, fear, anxiety, and indignation, bringing everything before God,” the Augustinian pontiff explained. “Crises and limitations shouldn’t be hidden but are rather moments for receiving grace.”
Though Pope Francis often engaged with seminarians, priests, and bishops, his messages tended to be more stern, addressing clericalism, or the habit of elevating priests and clergy above others. For Francis, clericalism represented a significant issue within the church, linked to abuses of power and authority that underpinned the clergy sex abuse and cover-up scandals.
While Leo struck a more positive tone, he still echoed some of Francis’s concerns. He encouraged seminarians to stand with the poor and criticized contemporary “throwaway culture,” a statement that received applause when Francis was mentioned by name.
The encouraging tone of Leo’s message may also aim to confront the Catholic Church’s ongoing decline in clergy numbers. Recent Vatican data indicate a continued decrease in seminarians globally, despite a growing Catholic population. By the end of 2022, there were 108,481 seminarians, down from 109,895 the previous year. Only Africa and Oceania noted increases, whereas traditional Catholic strongholds like the Americas and Europe faced substantial declines, and Asia saw a modest decrease.
Throughout the week, Leo will engage in similar events with priests and bishops, culminating in a Jubilee Mass over the weekend. This week marks approximately the midpoint of the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year, a global Catholic celebration held every 25 years, which traditionally attracts millions of pilgrims to Rome.