VATICAN - Mission "by attraction" at the center of the Extraordinary Consistory convened by Leo XIV

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) –Mission and Synodality. These are the “urgent issues” considered as priorities for the Church’s present situation and the focus of discussions among the 170 Cardinals who gathered in Rome yesterday and today for the first Extraordinary Consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV.

The Cardinals themselves selected the two “most important issues” from a list of four “priority topics” presented to them by the Pope: “Evangelii gaudium,” that is, the Church’s mission in today’s world; “Praedicate Evangelium,” that is, the ministry of the Holy See, especially to the particular Churches; Synod and Synodality, the instrument and style of collaboration; Liturgy, Source and Summit of Christian Life.”

In his address at the opening of the first session on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 7, Pope Leo offered valuable and evocative insights into the source and nature of the mission entrusted to the Church, which each generation must rediscover.

Mission and Attraction

In his address, the Bishop of Rome quoted the entire first paragraph of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution “Lumen Gentium” on the Church, which, in its very first words, refers to Christ as the “Light of the nations” and recalls the mission “by proclaiming his Gospel to every creature” and “ardently desires to bring all humanity that light of Christ, which is resplendent on the face of the Church.”
Thus, the Church does not radiate from within itself, but rather it is the light of Christ that “reflects within her,” as Pope Leo recalled, “so that all peoples may walk through the darkness of the world.”
The pontificates of Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II – the current successor of Peter continued – “can be interpreted entirely within this conciliar perspective, which sees the mystery of the Church as being entirely held within the mystery of Christ and thus understands the evangelizing mission as a radiation of the inexhaustible energy released by the central event of salvation history.”
“Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, in turn, summarized this vision in one word: “attraction,” said Pope Leo.

Pope Leo XIV quoted the homily of Pope Benedict XVI at the opening of the Aparecida Conference in 2007, in which Benedict reminded the audience that “the Church does not engage in proselytism. Rather, she grows by ‘attraction.’” And Pope Francis – Leo XIV continued – “was in perfect agreement with this, and repeated it several times in different contexts. Today, I joyfully revisit this theme and share it with you.”

The Pope drew attention to the “power” that drives this movement of attraction: “This power is Charis, it is Agape, it is the love of God that became incarnate in Jesus Christ and that, in the Holy Spirit, is given to the Church, sanctifying all her actions.” Furthermore, the Pope emphasized, “it is not the Church that attracts, but Christ; and if a Christian or an ecclesial community attracts, it is because through that “channel” flows the lifeblood of Charity that cascades from the Heart of the Savior. Moreover, it is significant that Pope Francis began with Evangelii Gaudium ‘on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world,’ and concluded with Dilexit Nos ‘on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ’.”

Unity attracts, division scatters

It is the attraction of Christ that unites hearts and also brings the miracle of communion to fruition. “To the extent that we love one another as Christ has loved us,” Pope Leo reminded the Cardinals gathered at the Consistory, “we belong to him, we are his community, and he can continue to draw others to himself through us.” For “unity attracts, division scatters.” And “therefore, in order to be a truly missionary Church, one that is capable of witnessing to the attractive power of Christ’s love, we must first of all put into practice his commandment, the only one he gave us after washing his disciples’ feet: ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another’.” He then adds: ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 8/1/2026)

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