Pope Leo’s address to the Governors of the catholic extension society
Consistory Hall – Monday, 18 May 2026
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The Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up
vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest
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(Acts 2:42-47).
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved).
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Pope Leo’s Address
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
When someone from Dolton, Illinois, comes, we have to open all the doors!
There aren’t many of us around anymore.
Your Eminence, Your Excellency,
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends,
It is my pleasure to welcome you, the members of the Catholic Extension Board, and your families on your pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican.
I pray that your time here gives you the chance to pray at the tombs of the Apostles and strengthen your ties with the Successor of Peter and the universal Church.
This is a particularly significant occasion for you as a Pontifical Society.
Your visit to Rome coincides with the approach of Pentecost, a pivotal moment in the life of the Church that is particularly relevant today.
It was only after receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit that the Apostles began proclaiming Jesus of Nazareth to people from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5), announcing the good news of salvation and new life in Christ.
The book of Acts of the Apostles then goes on to tell the story of the early Church and how the Gospel spread first to Jerusalem and then to the surrounding areas.
As the Lord added to their numbers, they formed communities grounded in fraternal unity and the teaching of the Apostles. These communities were nourished and strengthened by the Eucharist and a life of prayer.
Over 120 years ago, the same zeal that inspired the early Christians to share the news of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Spirit also inspired your founder, Father Francis Clement Kelley.
He sought to reach remote faith communities across the United States, bringing them the life of Christ through the sacraments and support from a wider Catholic community.
This missionary enthusiasm is still needed today, so I would like to thank you for your ongoing efforts to support poorer Catholic communities in the United States and beyond.
I would particularly like to commend your work in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
The support you provide to these communities beautifully expresses the universality of the Church and reminds us that ‘love for our neighbor is tangible proof of the authenticity of our love for God’ (Dilexi Te 26).
I also encourage the pastoral care that you are providing to disadvantaged people and to the many immigrant families in the United States.
It is crucial that our brothers and sisters experience the warmth of a community marked by the presence of Christ.
The early Church provides evidence that wherever a true faith community exists, its members are inspired by Christian charity to alleviate the suffering of others and care for those in need, particularly the poor. (Acts 2:45 (above); Acts 6:1-6 – Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolos, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.).
Love for the poor can therefore be understood as ‘the evangelical hallmark of a Church faithful to the heart of God’ (Dilexi Te, 103), as well as opening the door for those we serve to come to know the Lord more deeply, through our bearing witness to his love.
As you continue your mission, the dedication of Catholic Extension to not only alleviate the temporal needs of those less fortunate but also invest in building up vibrant Catholic communities is particularly necessary today.
Faith-filled communities offer individuals the chance to experience the joy of a new life in Christ in their daily, ordinary lives.
As we have seen, they provide support for the poor, as well as the strength we all need to face life’s challenges with faith.
In a particular way, these communities are also the ‘good soil’ in which new vocations to the priesthood and religious life can flourish. (Matthew 13:8 – Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty), providing new laborers for the harvest for years to come (Luke 10:2 – Jesus said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest).
Dear brothers and sisters,
Let us continue to serve the Lord with gladness and generosity.
May our motivation be love of God and neighbor, and the certainty that the Father “who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).
I entrust all of you to the loving intercession of Mary Immaculate and willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing to everyone associated with the Catholic Extension Society.
May it be a pledge of peace and joy in the risen Lord. Thank you.
