Pope stresses importance of supporting missions

By CathNews New Zealand

October 13th, 2026

(Pontifical Mission Societies)

In a video message for the 100th World Mission Sunday this coming weekend, Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers and support, recalling how they helped nurture his vocation and sustain his own missionary work in Peru. Source: Vatican News.

The 100th World Mission Sunday is being marked on October 18. In the video, the Pope reflected on the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission” and expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported the annual celebration over the past century.

He thanked God for the “abundant fruits” bestowed upon the Church since Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday 100 years ago.

His predecessor, the Pope recalled, sought to deepen awareness of the missionary task in every diocese and parish, encourage prayer for evangelisation and missionary vocations, and support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Pope Leo then reflected on how these efforts helped shape his own vocation.

“Looking back on my youth, I can see how the prayers offered to the Lord of the harvest mysteriously helped prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ call to follow him as an Augustinian missionary,” he said.

The prayers and contributions of the faithful, he added, sustained his missionary work in Peru and that of countless other missionaries throughout the world.

“For this reason, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported World Mission Sunday over the years,” he added.

Turning to this year’s theme, Pope Leo stressed the importance of nurturing the Church’s unity in following Christ, particularly through a shared commitment to spreading the Gospel message of salvation.

The Pope renewed the appeal he made in his message for the centenary, dated January 25, 2026, inviting everyone to contribute according to their vocation and the gifts they have received.

“Let us all commit to contributing to the great mission of evangelisation – which is always a work of love,” he urged.

Prayer and practical support, he added, help bring “the Gospel of God’s love to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need”.

MissioNZ national director Fr Michael Pui, in introducing Pope Leo’s message, noted that this was the second time Pope Leo has made a video for World Mission Sunday. Fr Pui stressed the importance of World Mission Sunday in its centenary year.

FULL STORY

Fr Michael Pui and Pope Leo XIV on 100th World Mission Sunday 2026 (MissioNZ/YouTube)

Pope for Mission Sunday: Evangelisation is always a work of love (Vatican News)