A month after his election, Pope Leo XIV is still very much in the headlines. This interest in the papacy and the Church will likely continue to be at a high level for some time because of the Pope’s newness and his US/Peruvian background. Thus, evangelically speaking, it is time for Catholics to make hay while the sun shines.
That is to say, while we have everyone’s attention, we need to, as writer Jaymie Stuart Wolfe said in an opinion piece for The Boston Pilot, “put our best foot forward “and make “good use of the opportunity to show the world not only who we are, but who Christ is.”
Invite a Look into Our True Nature
With Stuart Wolfe’s permission, I am sharing her thoughts on this opportunity. During the conclave she was struck by the amount of attention it got from the whole world: “. . . what intrigues me is the genuine interest that otherwise secular people have taken in it. For some reason, perhaps one they don’t even understand, they are drawn to the Catholic Church.” Therefore,
“. . . . With the depth and pageantry only the church can muster, we should open ourselves to the questions of those who stop to take a look. We should tell them that Jesus Christ loves them, that he died for them, and that he is risen from the dead. We should show them how that one truth changes everything, and how it has the power to change us. And we should invite them to come along with us as we strive to follow him.
“And while they are still looking, we should openly admit that we are poor sinners who get it all wrong more than we get it right, that we judge each other, and too often excuse our own shortcomings. We should tell them that the church is not only a field hospital for sinners, but a hostel for hypocrites reaching for authentic faith, but not always grasping hold of it.
“. . . let’s be sure to temper our Catholic pride with the truth about ourselves. Despite the lavish graces we have been given, we struggle like everyone else. The towering structures and glorious music, the brilliant works of artistic genius, the liturgical pomp and poetic prayer can’t wash away our sins or make us better than we are — only the precious blood of Jesus can do that.
“We are Christ’s unworthy servants, doing only the little he asked of us. But maybe, while they are turning to look at us, they will catch a glimpse of him, with arms outstretched in welcoming embrace. Perhaps they will see for just a moment the great mystery the church is and how deeply Christ loves her. And . . . maybe they will see in [the new Pope] the spiritual father they hadn’t realized they needed. Just maybe they will hear in his words the voice of the Good Shepherd calling them by name.
“There is something about the Catholic Church that speaks the language of every human soul. And every human soul longs to hear it and listen. A person’s opinions, experience of the church — or lack thereof — can all be overcome. For when there’s something to look at, it is usually because there is something to see.” https://thebostonpilot.com/Opinion/article.asp?ID=199885&fbclid=IwY2xjawKRo3pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFTc0hDMHpoSW1nUVcxTFdZAR4CZfFYBXzR8RyF-RCmNjDlJmxOdQyybGPPtjtggHOaGkGAqMvQq19nZe7ouQ_aem_VfTJRiV85JzLiZm1oiQk5A# (Friday, May 9, 2025)
Papal Evangelization Theme
This advice will continue to be valid for some time as the world watches Pope Leo take the reins. In fact, this plan of evangelization matches the mission that he seems to be setting as a theme of his papacy.
Throughout his priesthood, evangelization has been a top priority for Pope Leo as is obvious from the fact that he belongs to the Augustinians, a missionary order. It has been his life’s calling to take the love of the Church and the word of God to cultures other than his own. So now he will amplify that mission with the voice of the Vatican.
A major theme of Pope Leo’s first homily after his election was that we are called to spread the Gospel with joy, especially to lands where faith is threatened. He emphasized that the Church’s message should be aimed with truth and love at the world’s youth and the marginalized, for they are the ones who need it most and who can carry it forward.
A Prime Opportunity
As Catholics who love the Church, we have a prime opportunity right now, in this moment in time, to invite the rest of the world to learn about us, to share our faith, and to know the love and peace that comes with our religion.
Herein is our great advantage: we speak in the universal language of love. As my pastor reminded us on Pentecost Sunday, Christians don’t have a problem with multiple languages, just as those gathered to hear the Lord’s disciples didn’t have a problem understanding each other despite being from many different lands. Everyone understands love, or as Stuart Wolfe expressed it, the church speaks the language of the soul.
Not only is this a great time because of the new Pope but also because of a cultural shift that is happening. People are fed up with being lonely. They have realized that a secular society hasn’t fulfilled them. They are looking for something more and want to connect to a system of values that gives them an anchor and a meaningful life.
Consequently, young people in Britain are converting to Catholicism at a surprising rate. At Easter, France set a new record for people joining the Church. Interest and vocations in the United States are up. The Church’s growth in Africa continues to soar. When I say “prime opportunity” I mean prime.
Suggested Evangelization Actions
So how do we “strike while the iron is hot”? Each of us can get creative about what we can do, but one of the easiest and most obvious ways is to get engaged when people ask questions or mention something they see on the news. Speak up! Be bold! This is no time to be shy. We are called by our faith to share the good news, so open your mouth and use your social media to good advantage.
In response to public interest, parishes can host “Meet the Pope” or “Learn about the Catholic Church” information sessions (you can probably come up with better titles). These don’t have to be elaborate occasions — presentations can be easily put together and quite short, then simply take questions. Just be sure to publicize your event well and make as many personal invitations as possible to your neighbors and friends.
Parishes should also make sure they have a good supply of informational brochures in the church vestibule for all those curious people who might be stopping by in larger numbers now. Be prepared to publicize the RCIA classes well and put great emphasis on reaching out to nearby college campuses with information sessions or appropriate notices.
Another great idea is for your parish to use Matthew Kelly’s Christmas Book program designed to draw people to the church and strengthen the faith of the tepid. https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/ This successful program gives an inspirational book (at a cost of just $2/book), to that crowd that comes for Christmas Mass.
Let Your Light Shine
If people are being drawn to the Catholic Church as Stuart Wolfe suggested, then we need to be there when they feel that pull. Let it be known that you are Catholic and that others can ask any questions they want. (Not a bad reason to brush up on your own knowledge of the Church!)
It won’t be uncomfortable to put yourself out there once you see how receptive people are to your efforts, especially if you do it as part of a group. It’s as easy to provide spiritual support as it is to provide food or clothing donations to those in physical need.
Also, it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Just be open and be a witness. You will be amazed by the joy you inspire and the strengthened faith you will receive in return. Talk to your parish, think of how you as an individual can share, and go spread the Word!
Note: Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother of eight. Inspired by the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, she is an author, speaker, and musician, and provides freelance editorial services to numerous publishers and authors as the principal of One More Basket. Find Jaymie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @YouFeedThem.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In