In St. Peter’s Square, thousands of religious men and women joined the Pontiff in a Eucharistic celebration that encouraged people to “ask, seek, and knock” to renew the gift of consecrated life in the world.

On October 9, 2025, St. Peter’s Square was the scene of the Holy Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, with the participation of more than 16,000 pilgrims from all over the world.

During his homily, the Pontiff took up three verbs from the Gospel of Luke—“ask, seek, and knock” (Luke 11:9)—and challenged them to incarnate them in the consecrated lives of religious women, men, monks, contemplatives, hermits, and members of new forms of religious life.

A life given as a gift

Leo XIV recalled that “to ask” implies recognizing the poverty and gratuitousness of the divine gift; “to seek” means to walk in daily obedience to find the path to holiness; and “to knock” reflects the dynamic of receiving and then offering to others the gifts received with a pure heart.

He also invited the consecrated persons to strip themselves of everything to bear living witness to the primacy of God in their lives, helping their brothers and sisters to cultivate their friendship with Him.

Challenges and promise

The Pope acknowledged the demands of this mission, but asserted that those who dedicate themselves do so “with such beauty and richness” from the Lord.

He also evoked the style of the founders, who lived driven by a “generous impulse of charity,” showing themselves willing to become “all things to all people” in their following of Christ.

At the end of his message, he encouraged those present to renew themselves in humility, generosity, and solidarity, so that their consecrated life may be a “prophetic sign of mercy” for the Church and the world.