Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Rome on May 30, 2026, his first formal audience with the movement since his election last year. The Holy Father offered five points of reflection on the movement’s spiritual life and mission. Aleteia reports that Pope Leo acknowledged he was following in the footsteps of his predecessors, noting that popes from St. Paul VI onward have welcomed and praised the Charismatic Renewal’s ministry. This matters because the movement, now more than fifty years old, continues to be one of the Church’s largest renewal movements worldwide.
What happened
The Pope’s address centered on five themes, beginning with baptism in the Spirit and concluding with charity. While the full text of the address has not yet been published on vatican.va, the Pope’s welcome of the Charismatic Renewal marks a continuity with the movement’s long papal support. St. Paul VI first received Charismatic Renewal leaders in 1975, calling the movement a “chance for the Church.” St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI both affirmed the movement’s charisms, and Pope Francis met with Charismatics multiple times during his papacy.
This was Pope Leo XIV’s first major encounter with a renewal movement as pontiff. The May 30 meeting took place during the Charismatic Renewal’s annual gathering in Rome, which draws thousands of participants from around the world.
For the complete report, see Aleteia’s coverage.
Why this matters
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal emerged in the late 1960s and has grown into one of the Church’s most visible lay movements, with an estimated 120 million participants worldwide. The movement emphasizes personal conversion, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the exercise of spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12. It has been a significant force in Catholic evangelization, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Pope Leo’s early engagement with the Charismatic Renewal signals his intention to maintain the Vatican’s positive relationship with renewal movements. His acknowledgment of five previous popes’ support suggests he views these movements as integral to the Church’s mission, not as fringe or provisional experiments. The emphasis on charity alongside baptism in the Spirit also points to a pastoral concern that charismatic gifts serve the common good and the Church’s works of mercy.
For Catholic readers
If you participate in the Charismatic Renewal or know someone who does, this is an encouragement to continue that ministry with confidence in the Church’s support. If you’re unfamiliar with the movement, the Vatican’s International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services maintains resources at iccrs.org for those interested in learning more about its history and spiritual practices.
Sources:
1. Aleteia
