“A fidelity that generates the future is what priests are called to today,” Pope Leo XIV says, in the opening line of a new apostolic letter on priestly formation.

The papal document, entitled Una Fedelta che Genera Future, was released on December 22, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Vatican II documents on priestly formation and priestly ministry. In it the Pontiff challenges priests to be conscious of the call from God that drew them to the priesthood. He assures them that their fidelity to priestly ministry will be strengthened “when we passionately remember the sound of the voice of the Lord who loves, chooses and calls us.”

The need for that fidelity has been dramatized in recent years by the crises that have rocked the Catholic world, “caused by abuses committed by members of the clergy,” the Pope observes. He adds notes the unfortunate increase in the number of priests leaving the ministry. The Pope writes:

Only priests and consecrated persons who are humanly mature and spiritually solid – in other words, those in whom the human and spiritual dimensions are well integrated and who are therefore capable of authentic relationships with everyone – can take on the commitment of celibacy and credibly proclaim the Gospel of the Risen One.

Pope Leo calls for greater attention to a spirit of fraternity among priests, and suggests exploring “possible forms of community life” to strengthen those bonds. He also encourages priests to recognize that they are not called to “dominate or take on all tasks themselves,” but should work humbly in cooperation with the laity.

In a December 22 address to the leaders of the Roman Curia, Pope Leo XIV insisted that the work of the Vatican should be characterized by a missionary attitude and a spirit of communion.

The Pope’s annual exchange of Christmas greetings with the Roman Curia has an opportunity for the Pontiff—especially, as in this case, a new Pontiff—to set priorities for the Vatican leadership. Pope Leo stressed the need for “the missionary transformation of the Church,” while adding that this transformation must be closely linked to a spirit of communion among the Church’s leaders, and between the leaders and the people.

Under Pope Francis, the papal address to the Curia had blunt criticism, even outright scolding of prevailing attitudes at the Vatican. Pope Leo’s tone was much gentler, but his message did include cautions against the rivalries and turf battles that can arise among Church leaders.

Mission and communion

Pope Leo praised his predecessor at the start of the speech, saying of Pope Francis: “His prophetic voice, pastoral style and rich magisterium have marked the Church’s journey in recent years.” He also sounded some of the themes that prevailed especially at the start of the last pontificate.

“By her very nature, the Church is outward-looking, turned toward the world, missionary,” Pope Leo said. He said that the Curia should always seek to “make progress in the missionary transformation of the Church, who draws her inexhaustible strength from the mandate of the Risen Christ.”

Toward that end, the Pope said, the Vatican should work to advance the cause of evangelization, in a spirit of “pastoral solicitude in service to the particular churches and their pastors.” He concluded by again saying, “We need an ever more missionary Roman Curia.”

To be missionary, however, requires a spirit of communion, Pope Leo said. He urged Curial officials to work cooperatively, guarding against competition and rivalry and inter-office conflicts, working toward “genuine fraternal friendship” among Vatican officials. Quoting St. Augustine, as he so frequently does, the Pope said: “In all human affairs, nothing is truly cherished without a friend.”

“Is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?” asked the Pontiff—who, during his months as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, saw the effects of bureaucratic conflicts. He said:

Thus, in interpersonal relationships, in internal office dynamics, or in addressing questions of faith, liturgy, morality and more besides, there is a risk of falling into rigidity or ideology, with their consequent conflicts.

To guard against such friction, the Pope encouraged the Curial leaders to bear in mind that “we are not mere gardeners tending our own plot, but disciples and witnesses of the Kingdom of God.” He concluded with an insistent reassurance that “mission and communion are possible if we place Christ at the center.”

Today is the Sixth of the O Antiphons, O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations). "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return" (Luke 19:12). This nobleman is Christ, the Son of God, King of all nations. His kingdom is over all men and over all things, both material and spiritual. He has everything in His hand as God and man. But another, Satan, has broken into His kingdom and has made himself master of many of Christ's subjects. In the old dispensation only a small part of humanity, the chosen people, remained faithful to the almighty King.

May we all remember Christ’s words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and continue to pray and work for peace in our world today. You never know the effect you may have.

Gospel Excerpt: Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home (Mt 1:20-24).

Here are the meanings of 11 common Advent and Christmas terms that you might not already know!

Today is the Fourth of the O Antiphons, O Clavis David (O Key of David). O sublime majesty of the coming Redeemer! To Him has been delivered the key, the government of the house of David (Is 22:22). Boundless is His power over the graces and privileges of the Church, over the souls and hearts and the wills of men. He holds the destiny of the Church in the palm of His hand. He is Master of the storms that arise to destroy the Church and the souls committed to her. He is capable of dealing with the false principles and the errors that threaten her doctrines. He has overcome the devil and his associates, the world, the flesh and its tribulations. To Him all power is given (Matt. 28:18). "He shall open and none shall shut" (Is 22:22). Against the power that is His all other forces are powerless. The destiny of souls and the government of the Church are placed in His hand. He is the Lord of all. O Key of David, I believe in Thy power; and in the many difficult situations that confront the Church and my own soul, I place my trust in Thee.

In a recent Ascension Presents video, Father Mike Schmitz breaks his silence on his favorite–and least favorite–Christmas songs.

One of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time began in an unexpected, but clever way–all because of a broken organ.

WASHINGTON – Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Palm Beach, and has appointed Reverend Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, as Bishop-elect of Palm Beach. Father Rodriguez is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and currently serves as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Corona (Queens), New York. The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C., on December 19, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The following biographical information for Bishop-elect Rodriguez was drawn from preliminary materials provided to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Father Rodriguez was born January 15, 1974, in the Dominican Republic; he became a United States citizen on July 25, 2018. 

Father Rodriguez pursued studies at the Pontifical University Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic, earning degrees in philosophy (1996) and law (1998), and a degree in education from the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (1997). He received a doctorate in legal studies from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome (2003), a master’s degree in education from the Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (2006), and a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America (2016), and a doctorate in canon law from the University of Navarre in Spain (2019).

He was admitted to the Salesians of Don Bosco (a religious order) in 1993 and made his final profession to the Salesians on September 22, 2002. Father Rodriguez was ordained to the priesthood on July 3, 2004, in the Dominican Republic, and was incardinated into the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2012. 

Bishop-elect Rodriguez’s assignments after ordination in the Dominican Republic include: director of John Bosco School (2004-2008); director of Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Santo Domingo (2008-2009). His assignments in the Diocese of Brooklyn include: parochial vicar at St. Michael Church in Brooklyn (2009-2011); administrator (2011-2012) and then pastor (2012-2014) at Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn; administrator (2014) and then pastor at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Queens (2014-2020). Father Rodriguez has also served as the defender of the bond on the diocesan tribunal since 2017 and has served as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Corona, Queens since 2020. Bishop-elect Rodriguez speaks English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

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