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 managing dioceses from offices. In a letter dated Sept. 8, the pope told the bishops that certain aspects of diocesan life 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 16th-century Spanish missionary bishop who evangelized Peru. Pope Leo XIV cited the saint as an example of pastoral charity and noted that his own episcopal ministry in Peru helped him understand what it means to be a shepherd. He described the ministry of a bishop as requiring a heart in heaven and feet on the road.