Missio England and Wales rejoiced today as Fr Anthony Chantry joined 120 Missio National Directors from across the world in an audience with the Holy Father.
This important meeting was a chance for us to receive Pope Leo’s guidance on the direction of the worldwide mission of the Church, through Missio (the Pontifical Mission Societies). He also shared his own experience of, and heart for, mission. Later there was also an opportunity for Fr Anthony to present the Holy Father with a Red Box!
The Holy Father began by thanking the Missio representatives for their dedicated service, which, he said:
‘…is indispensable to the Church’s mission of evangelisation, as I can personally attest from my own pastoral experience in the years of my ministry serving in Peru.’
He went on to note that Missio is ‘effectively the “primary means” of awakening missionary responsibility among all the baptised’. Pope Leo also noted the distinct roles Missio fulfils within the global Church, from pastoral aid and church building to children’s formation, vocational cultivation and missionary training.
The call to mission is universal
Pope Leo emphasised that: ‘Our world, wounded by war, violence and injustice, needs to hear the Gospel message of God’s love and to experience the reconciling power of Christ’s grace.’
He called to mind our sisters and brothers around the world who are in desperate need of the hope which missionaries deliver; pointing out that the call to mission is not just for the few, but is rather a universal component of faith. It is an invitation for everyone who has experienced Christ in their lives to share that encounter. He said:
‘The Church herself, in all her members, is increasingly called to be “a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word … and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity” (Homily, Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, 18 May 2025.’
Communion and universality
Pope Leo reminded the audience of National Directors that, as missionaries, we are called to cultivate the vision of the Church as a ‘communion of believers’ united in the Trinity, regardless of what parish, community, culture or continent we are from:
‘Indeed, it is in the Trinity that all things find their unity. This dimension of our Christian life and mission is close to my heart, and is reflected in the words of Saint Augustine that I chose for my episcopal service and now for my papal ministry: ‘In Illo uno unum’. Christ is our Saviour and in him we are one, a family of God, beyond the rich variety of our languages, cultures and experiences.’
Equally, the Holy Father explained, Missio’s goal must be universality, explaining
‘Our communion as members of the Body of Christ naturally opens us to the universal dimension of the Church’s mission of evangelisation, and inspires us to transcend the confines of our individual parishes, dioceses and nations, in order to share with every nation and people the surpassing richness of the knowledge of Jesus Christ (cf. Phil 3:8).’
Pilgrims of hope
The Holy Father concluded his address by blessing all those who were present, and commending all who support and carry out Missio’s vital work to Our Blessed Mother’s intercession. He reminded us of Pope Francis’ call to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in this Holy Year of Jubilee and encouraged us all to continue to be ‘missionaries of hope among all peoples’.
Following the audience, Fr Anthony had a chance to greet the Holy Father personally and presented him with a Red Box. Fr Anthony shared:
‘It was a real joy and privilege to meet the Holy Father, Pope Leo. He thanked us and our supporters for all Missio is doing to support the mission of the Church, which is to encourage unity and peace. His motto ‘unity in God’ (‘in Illo uno unum’) expresses it all. I took the opportunity to present him with a Red Box – a symbol of our Church’s commitment to mission overseas for 80 years through prayer and gifts. I said I’ll collect it next year!’
Support the Red Box
In England and Wales, the Red Box is an 80-year-old symbol of commitment to overseas mission through prayer and gifts. Together with our partners the Mill Hill Missionaries, we can continue to awaken missionary spirit throughout the world!