In a recent address from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV offered a powerful reflection on the spiritual significance of pilgrimages, emphasizing their role in deepening the Christian life and opening hearts to God's call. His words, delivered to a group of teachers and students from across northern Europe, resonate profoundly with the mission of the upcoming Hour of the Laity 2025 (THL2025) conference in Mexico City—a modern-day pilgrimage of a different kind, calling lay Catholic leaders to renewal, discernment, and mission.
“A pilgrimage has a vital part to play in our life of faith,” said the pope, noting that such journeys “remove us from our homes and our daily routines and give us time and space to encounter God more deeply.” His call to prayer, listening, and discernment is particularly urgent today, as Catholics navigate a world saturated with noise, distraction, and spiritual fatigue.
But Pope Leo XIV’s words are not merely about physical journeys—they are about transformation. “Through them the Holy Spirit gently fashions us to be ever more closely conformed to the mind and the heart of Jesus Christ,” he reminded his audience. This shaping by the Spirit is not just for personal holiness but for public mission.
That message lies at the heart of The Hour of the Laity 2025, set to take place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This unique gathering of Catholic professionals is more than a conference—it is a call to pilgrimage for leaders seeking to live their faith fully in the world. Just as Rome draws millions of pilgrims for the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Basilica—the spiritual heart of the Americas—will welcome hundreds of lay leaders united in their desire to become missionary disciples in the heart of civil society.
At THL2025, lay Catholics will be invited to listen deeply—to their hearts, to one another, and above all, to the voice of God calling them to leadership in the family, workplace, culture, and public life. In the words of Pope Leo XIV, we must “use this opportunity for listening, for prayer, so that you may hear more clearly God’s voice calling you deep within your hearts.”
The pope’s reflection also underscores the need for strong role models and formation. Speaking to teachers, he urged them to “nurture your relationship with Christ” so as to guide others in turn. This call is equally urgent for lay leaders today: to grow in virtue, to become credible witnesses to Christ, and to form others by example and action.
The pilgrimage, then, is not just a journey to a holy place—it is a journey into one’s vocation and mission. THL2025 offers Catholic professionals a rare chance to pause, reflect, and renew that journey, surrounded by fellow pilgrims and the loving intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As Pope Leo XIV concluded, “continue your pilgrimage of discipleship… relying always on God’s mercy and the intercession of the saints.” Let this be the guiding light for all who will gather in Mexico City this November 6 to 8 in 2025.
