Pope Leo XIV calls on Latin American bishops to lead from ground, not ‘behind a desk’

Pope Leo XIV urged bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean to engage directly with their communities rather than leading from offices. In a letter dated Sept. 8, the pope told the bishops that certain aspects of a diocese are difficult to understand from behind a desk. He encouraged them to maintain active pastoral visits by personally meeting people, listening to their flock, and seeking out those who rarely have the chance to speak with a bishop.

The Vatican released the letter on Sept. 19 to mark the 300th anniversary of the canonization of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, a Spanish missionary bishop who evangelized Peru in the 16th century. Pope Leo XIV cited the saint as an example of pastoral charity and noted that his own experience serving as a bishop in Peru helped him understand the meaning of being a shepherd. He described the ministry of a bishop as requiring a heart in heaven and feet on the road.