Newly elected Pope Leo XIV has called on members of the Brothers of the Christian Schools to address the growing emotional and spiritual struggles facing young people around the world. The Pope made the appeal during a special audience at the Vatican on Thursday, where he met with hundreds of priests, nuns, and educators who serve in Catholic schools across the globe.
In his first formal engagement with the congregation since assuming the papacy, Pope Leo XIV delivered a heartfelt message emphasizing the importance of educational institutions in shaping the hearts and minds of future generations. He expressed deep concern about the increasingly fragmented nature of youth development in today’s society.
“We must be attentive to the complex challenges young people face today,” the Pope said. “We think of the isolation caused by relationship patterns increasingly marked by superficiality, individualism, and emotional instability.”
His remarks highlighted the moral and psychological struggles afflicting youth in a world dominated by fast-paced digital culture, diminishing human connection, and widespread relativism. He warned that these influences, if left unchecked, threaten to leave children and adolescents vulnerable to loneliness and confusion.
“There is a spread of patterns of thought weakened by relativism,” the pontiff cautioned, “and the prevalence of rhythms and lifestyles in which there is not enough room for listening, reflection, and dialogue.”
According to Pope Leo XIV, these troubling trends are not confined to secular environments but have permeated traditional settings such as the classroom, the family, and peer groups. “Even among peers,” he added, “these conditions result in deepening loneliness.”
A Mission Rooted in History and Faith
The Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the De La Salle Brothers, have a storied legacy in the Catholic Church. The order was founded in 1680 by Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, a French priest and pioneer of modern education. Committed to providing quality education to the poor, he established a model of teaching that emphasized discipline, accessibility, and moral formation.
The Vatican event coincided with the 300th anniversary of the institute’s official recognition by Pope Benedict XIII in 1725. Over the centuries, the Brothers have expanded their mission to more than 80 countries, developing a vast network of schools, universities, and community centers aimed at fostering holistic human development.
Today, the Brothers are particularly active in Africa, where they operate educational institutions in 22 countries. Their outreach includes six Catholic universities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Kenya. These institutions offer specialized training in fields such as education, medicine, engineering, and the sciences, nurturing the next generation of African professionals and leaders.
Empowering Communities Beyond the Classroom
In addition to formal education, the Brothers of the Christian Schools engage in a broad spectrum of social initiatives. Their community programs focus on serving marginalized populations through healthcare services, youth formation, vocational training, and development projects.
Whether operating in remote villages or urban centers, the Brothers aim to build resilient communities by offering educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Their work reflects the Catholic Church’s broader mission to promote social justice, uplift the poor, and protect the dignity of every person.
“We strive to accompany young people in every stage of their development—not only intellectually, but spiritually and emotionally,” said Brother François Kisito, a regional leader of the congregation in West Africa. “Pope Leo’s words remind us of the urgent need to adapt to the evolving realities our students face.”
Papal Vision for a Listening Church
Since being elected, Pope Leo XIV has positioned himself as a reform-minded leader eager to engage with modern society’s spiritual and cultural complexities. His audience with the De La Salle Brothers reflects a broader pastoral priority: to ensure that the Church’s educational institutions become sanctuaries of dialogue, discernment, and human connection.
The pontiff stressed the importance of reclaiming space for reflection in a world consumed by speed and distraction. “We live in an age that leaves little time for listening,” he said. “Yet, it is precisely listening and reflection that cultivate understanding, empathy, and true community.”
He urged Catholic educators to create environments where students feel seen, heard, and valued—spaces that encourage moral discernment and resilience amid the noise of modern life.
A Renewed Call to Evangelize Through Education
With over 300 years of service behind them, the Brothers of the Christian Schools remain one of the Catholic Church’s most impactful educational congregations. But as Pope Leo XIV emphasized, the future calls for a renewed commitment to evangelization through education—one that addresses not only the intellect but the heart.
“Your mission is more relevant now than ever,” the Pope told the Brothers. “Young people are searching for meaning, connection, and truth. It is our responsibility to accompany them with compassion, clarity, and conviction.”
As the Church continues to navigate its role in a rapidly changing world, the message from the Vatican is clear: Catholic educators must rise to meet the urgent needs of today’s youth—offering not just academic excellence, but spiritual guidance and a sense of belonging.
The visit concluded with prayers and blessings from Pope Leo XIV, who encouraged the Brothers to draw strength from their founding charism and continue their work with renewed vigor.
“You are not just teachers,” he said. “You are witnesses to hope in a world that needs healing, mentors in a time that craves wisdom, and builders of peace in the lives of those entrusted to your care.”
