Pope calls Diocese of Rome to pastoral evaluation: ‘Do less and do it better'

By Vatican News Pope Leo XIV has encouraged the Diocese of Rome to begin its new pastoral year by taking time to listen, discern and evaluate its activities, rather than simply adding new initiatives. Addressing the Diocesan Assembly at the Basilica of St John Lateran on Friday, the Pope said he was not presenting a new pastoral programme but proposing a shared method of “pastoral evaluation”. The process, he explained, means stopping to reread what has happened, recognising what has borne fruit, understanding what has not worked and seeking together the reasons why. It should involve the whole ecclesial community and, where possible, also listen to those who do not regularly participate in Church life.

[ Why do some initiatives generate paths and others remain isolated? ] ‘Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Pope Leo began his reflection with the Gospel account of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb on Easter morning. He proposed Jesus’ questions to her — “Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” — as questions for the Church and the city of Rome. He noted the vitality already present in the Diocese, including parishes, associations, movements and other ecclesial realities engaged in evangelisation, charity and prayer. At the same time, he acknowledged the risk that an abundance of activities can cause communities to