Pope Leo XIV reflected this Sunday on Jesus’s invitation to “tell in the light” what we have heard in the dark, urging Catholics to share their unique, personal experience of God with others. You can read Aleteia’s full coverage of the Pope’s remarks. For Catholics wondering how to evangelize without sounding preachy, the Pope offered a simple starting point: tell what is in the secret of your heart.
What happened
In his Sunday address, Pope Leo XIV drew on Jesus’s words from Matthew 10:27 about proclaiming from the rooftops what is whispered in the dark. The Pope reframed this passage as an invitation to share not theological abstractions, but the personal encounter with Christ that each believer carries in their heart.
The “secret of our hearts,” Pope Leo said, is the place where we meet Jesus individually. That encounter, unique to each person’s life and circumstances, is what Christians are called to bring into the light through witness.
Read the full report at Aleteia for the Pope’s complete remarks.
Why this matters
The Pope’s focus on personal encounter over doctrinal recitation addresses a common barrier to evangelization: the fear that sharing faith requires theological expertise. By emphasizing the heart’s secret, Pope Leo points to a form of witness accessible to every baptized Catholic, regardless of education or eloquence.
This approach also echoes the New Evangelization’s emphasis on testimony. The Second Vatican Council taught that the Church exists to evangelize, and Pope Leo’s words remind us that the starting material for that work is not a script, but a relationship.
For Catholic readers
This week, consider one moment when you experienced God’s presence in a way that felt uniquely meant for you. Share that moment with one person, whether a friend questioning faith or a fellow parishioner who could use encouragement. The Pope’s message is simple: what God has shown you in secret is not meant to stay hidden.
Sources:
1. Aleteia — original report
