Pope calls Diocese of Rome to pastoral evaluation: ‘Do less and do it better'

Key Points:

• Pope Leo XIV urged the Diocese of Rome to start its new pastoral year by listening, discerning, and evaluating existing activities rather than launching new initiatives, emphasizing a shared method of “pastoral evaluation” involving the whole ecclesial community.
• He highlighted three key priorities for evaluation: fostering genuine encounters with Christ, building welcoming and responsible Christian communities, and actively engaging with the city of Rome as the Church’s mission field.
• The Pope stressed that pastoral efforts should focus on quality over quantity, encouraging priests to listen and discern before acting, and to foster collaboration by recognizing the charisms and roles of laypeople.
• He called for priestly fraternity within Rome’s Prefectures to support ministers in sharing challenges openly and without shame.
• Pope Leo announced the initiation of a diocesan inquiry into the life and holiness of Don Luigi Di Liegro, founder of Rome’s Diocesan Caritas, hoping this process will inspire renewed pastoral commitment ahead of the Jubilee of the Redemption in 2033.