Joyful Priests & the Jubilee of Hope 2025

Joyful Priests: "I have called you friends" (John 15:15)

On June 23–27, 2025, over 6,000 seminarians, bishops, and priests from all over the world gathered in Rome for three special Jubilee events dedicated to the renewal of hope in the vocation and ministry of the priesthood.

The Jubilee of Seminarians, Bishops, and Priests encouraged moments of listening, dialogue, and reflection on the meaning of the priestly vocation today, on its beauty, and on the call to holiness and communion in the daily life of priests.

Following we've gathered Pope Leo XIV's messages, meditations, and homilies from the Jubilee of Bishops, Seminarians, and Priests:

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JUBILEE OF BISHOPS
Meditation of the Holy Father
Saint Peter's Basilica
Wednesday, 25 June 2025

"If we are to lead the Churches entrusted to our care, we must let ourselves be profoundly renewed by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in order to conform ourselves fully to his heart and to the mystery of his love." – Pope Leo XIV

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JUBILEE OF SEMINARIANS
Meditation of the Holy Father
Saint Peter's Basilica
Tuesday, June 24, 2025

"Today you are not just pilgrims, but also witnesses of hope: you bear witness to it for me and for everyone, because you have allowed yourself to be drawn into the fascinating adventure of the priestly vocation in a difficult time. You have accepted the call to become meek and strong announcers of the Word that saves, servants of a welcoming Church and a missionary Church." – Pope Leo XIV

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ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV
To the Seminarians of the Diocese of Triveneto
Wednesday, 25 June 2025

"Do not think of yourselves as alone, nor by yourselves. Without doubt – as the Ratio fundamentalis states – each one of you ‘is the protagonist of his own formation and is called to a journey of constant growth in the human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral spheres’ (Congregation for the Clergy, The Gift of Priestly Formation, 130); but protagonists does not mean soloists! Therefore, I invite you always to cultivate communion, first of all with your seminary companions. Have complete trust in your formators, without reserve or duplicity. And you, formators, be good companions to the seminarians entrusted to you: offer them the humble witness of your life and your faith; accompany them with sincere affection. Know that you are all supported by the Church, first and foremost in the person of the Bishop." – Pope Leo XIV

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JUBILEE OF PRIESTS
ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV
To Participants in the Meeting of Priests promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy
Thursday, June 26, 2025

"The words of Jesus, 'I have called you friends' (Jn 15:15), are not only an affectionate declaration to his disciples, but a true key to understanding the priestly ministry. The priest, in fact, is a friend of the Lord, called to live a personal and trusting relationship with Him, nourished by the Word, by the celebration of the Sacraments, by daily prayer. This friendship with Christ is the spiritual foundation of the ordained ministry, the meaning of our celibacy and the energy of the ecclesial service to which we dedicate our lives. It sustains us in moments of trial and allows us to renew every day the 'yes' pronounced at the beginning of our vocation." – Pope Leo XIV

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INTERNATIONAL MEETING POPE LEO XIV
For All Those Involved in Vocational Ministry and Seminary Formation
Thursday, 26 June 2025

In the context of the Jubilee of Seminarians and Priests, the Dicastery for the Clergy hosted an international gathering in the presence of the Holy Father Leo XIV, addressed to all those engaged in vocational ministry and priestly formation. a special meeting of encounter, reflection, and sharing, entitled “Joyful Priests – ‘I have called you friends’ (Jn 15:15)”.

The title chosen for the meeting, “Joyful Priests – ‘I have called you friends’ (Jn 15:15)", comes from the Gospel of St. John and recalls the heart of the priestly vocation as friendship with Christ the Good Shepherd and joyful service to the People of God, in discovering and fulfilling the Master’s call, which is first and foremost a call to joy.