Pope Leo meets the Focolare Movement and encourages them to promote unity and peace within their organization and throughout the world, especially at this moment in history, while also always respecting each person’s freedom and conscience.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho In these times affected by conflicts and divisions, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the Focolare movement to be witnesses of unity within their structures and throughout the world, while respecting the freedom and conscience of each person. “We are in great need of this spirit of unity today, because the poison of division and conflict tends to corrupt hearts and social relationships and must be countered by the Gospel witness of unity, dialogue, forgiveness, and peace,” he said in his address at the Vatican on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Pope was meeting with the members of the Focolare movement who participated in the body’s General Assembly, which took place in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, from March 1 to 21. “Through you as well, God has, over the past decades, prepared a great people of peace, who at this very moment in history are called to act as a counterweight and a barrier against the many sowers of hatred who are dragging humanity back toward forms of barbarism and violence.” The Focolare movement, officially known as the Work of Mary, is an international organization focused on spiritual and social renewal, founded by the Italian Servant of God, Chiara Lubich, in 1943. Today it is present in 140 countries and organized in 15 geographical areas. The president, Margaret Karram, elected during the General Assembly for a second mandate, and the newly chosen co-president, Father Roberto Almada, were both present at the meeting with the Pope, along with bishops, priests and other members of the movement. Bring unity in this moment in history Pope Leo began his speech by highlighting how “every charism in the Church expresses an aspect of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit brings to the fore at a particular moment in history, for the good of the Church itself and for the good of the whole world.” The charism of the Focolare movement is “the message of unity” among human beings, which is “a fruit and reflection” of Christ’s unity with God. The spirit of unity “is a seed, simple yet powerful, that attracts thousands of women and men, inspires vocations, and generates a drive for evangelization, as well as social, cultural, artistic, and economic works, which serve as a catalyst for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue,” the Pope explained. The importance of transparency The Pope then underlined how this spirit of unity needs to nourish and permeate the structures of the movement and the way it lives. He noted how those present have “the responsibility of keeping alive the charism” of the organization “in the post-foundational phase” and so are “called to discern together” which aspects of their common life and apostolate “are essential—and therefore must be preserved—and which, on the other hand, are tools and practices that, although long in use, are not essential to the charism, or have presented problematic aspects and must therefore be abandoned.” He said this “requires a strong commitment to transparency” from all those in positions of responsibility. “Transparency, in fact, is on the one hand a prerequisite for credibility, and on the other hand is required because charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit for which all members are responsible,” he urged, encouraging the involvement of all members. "Remember, too, that member involvement always adds value: it fosters growth—both personal and organizational—brings out each person’s hidden strengths and potential, fosters a sense of responsibility, and encourages everyone to contribute." Respecting the freedom and conscience of each individual The Pope then added that “the responsibility for common discernment” entrusted to the leaders of the movement also “encompasses the way in which the charism of unity must be translated into forms of community life, that allow the beauty of the Gospel’s newness to shine forth and, at the same time, respect the freedom and conscience of each individual, valuing the gifts and uniqueness of each person.” He emphasized that the unity the Movement seeks to live is realized “in God” and the fulfilment of His will, and “consequently in the shared commitment to communion and community life, supported and guided by those entrusted with this service.” The Pope acknowledged that “unity is a gift and, at the same time, a task and a call that challenges each one of us,” and pointed out that “all are called to discern what God’s will is and how the truth of the Gospel can be realized in the various situations of community or apostolic life.” Pope Leo also insisted that “on this journey of discernment” all must exercise “fraternity, sincerity, frankness, and above all humility”, meaning “freedom from oneself and from one’s own point of view.” “Unity should not be understood as uniformity of thought, opinion, and lifestyle; on the contrary, such uniformity could lead to a devaluation of one’s own convictions, to the detriment of personal freedom and the ability to follow one’s conscience,” he said. With this in mind, he recalled how the founder of the Movement, Chiara Lubich, underlined charity as the foundation of every rule and thus unity should “be constantly nourished and sustained by mutual charity, which demands magnanimity, kindness, and respect.” Thank you for this great spiritual family Lastly, the Pope thanked the Lord “for the great spiritual family that has sprung from the charism of Chiara Lubich,” which includes young people, families, bishops, priests, consecrated persons and all Focolare members who work to spread the Gospel around the world. “And we give thanks for the countless fruits of holiness, known and unknown, that the return to the Gospel, which you have promoted, has brought to the Church over all these years,” he concluded.