Video message from Pope Leo XIV: World Mission Sunday

Source: Missio

Pope Leo XIV has recorded a special video message for the celebration of World Mission Sunday on Sunday 18 October. Missio, the Holy Father's charity for world mission and tasked with coordinating World Mission Sunday, is appealing for prayers and donations to support missionaries who serve communities in need, often in some of the poorest and most challenging places on earth.

This year's theme, chosen by Pope Leo, is 'One in Christ, united in mission.' Being 'one in Christ' calls us to keep Our Lord at the centre of our lives and communities, and our mission is lived by witnessing to God's love through our words and deeds.

In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Leo XIV explains: "Your prayers and practical support, particularly on World Mission Sunday, will be a great help in bringing the Gospel of God's love to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need. Every gift, no matter how small, becomes a meaningful act of missionary communion."

This year's celebration encourages every Catholic in the world to bring to life the mission given to them through baptism - to share the love of God with everyone, everywhere - by supporting missionaries who live alongside and serve communities in greatest need, wherever they are. Missionaries' work is rooted in peace, dignity and hope, and offers help to everyone, regardless of their background or belief.

What is World Mission Sunday?

Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday in 1926. It began as a simple appeal to support missionaries through prayer and giving. Today, 100 years later, it continues to unite Catholics in a celebration of the Church's missionary identity.

It is held every year on the penultimate Sunday of October. Every Catholic parish in the world celebrates Mass and contributes according to its means, so that churches in greatest need receive support from the worldwide Catholic family. The funds support missionaries and local churches serving communities that are new, young or poor, helping to provide pastoral care, education and healthcare.

In 2025, Catholics in Myanmar raised £13,395, Malawi gave £31,310, and France donated £921,000. In England and Wales, £713,954 was generously raised.

How to take part

• Pray for missionaries and the people they serve
• Give to the World Mission Sunday collection in your parish, or donate directly to Missio
• Invite others to celebrate belonging to the universal Church, in person or online

Pope Leo XIV calls us to 'go' urgently and courageously into the future and thanks you for everything you will do to help missionaries throughout the world: 'Your prayers and practical support, particularly on World Mission Sunday, will be a great help in bringing the Gospel of God's love to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need.'

Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio's National Director in England and Wales says: "Pope Leo XIV's message urges us to celebrate our unity in Christ, who sends us out with a common task: proclaiming, living and sharing God's faithful love, 'so that the world may believe in Christ the Lord'.

"There are still multitudes of people in our world who do not know Jesus Christ and have no notion of the new life he offers them. Looking back is helpful, however the past is a place of reference, not a place of residence. We must look to the future to see how we can help others to share God's love; especially with those who are in great need."

LINKS

Watch Pope Leo's Message for World Mission Sunday: https://youtu.be/i318XLeZV4s?si=cJ3JSz65kVfiKVzp

World Mission Sunday: www.missio.org.uk/wms