The World Needs Hope – Letter from Our Executive Director

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,

“The Spirit opens borders…” This is the message Pope Leo XIV conveyed in his recent Pentecost homily, his first as supreme pontiff. A true missionary, Leo understands this openness to be at once personal, relational, and political. Openness of the Spirit, he tells us, begins “in our hearts,” breaking down “our narrowness of mind, our selfishness, the fears that enchain us and the narcissism that makes us think only of ourselves.” From there, we “become capable of opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters,” and, ultimately, opening the “borders between peoples”:

[The Spirit] teaches us, reminds us, and writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the center and summit of everything. Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for “security” zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.

Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of gathering and speaking with lay, religious, and ordained Catholics of all ages—at conferences, virtual gatherings, and in one-on-one conversations. As we witness increasing levels of prejudice, political violence, isolationism, and xenophobia, it is clear that the vision shared by both Pope Francis and Pope Leo resonates more deeply than ever: a Church which includes, heals, and goes forth to seek, encounter, and respond to Christ at the peripheries. People long for a Church of synodality and belonging, of prophetic love, solidarity, and social transformation.

On July 23-24, faith leaders and ministers who share this vision will gather for a momentous Jubilee of Hope Summit on Mission and Evangelization. If you haven’t already, we invite you to register for this important moment of learning, dialogue, and discernment over the key themes and calls to action of Pope Francis’ 2025 World Day of Mission Message: to walk in the footsteps of Christ our hope, to bear and build this hope in our world, and renew the mission of hope in our hearts and in our Church.

We hope to see you there, and thank you, as always, for your commitment to embodying and proclaiming the love of Jesus to all creation.

In mission and solidarity,

Kevin Foy

Executive Director