This morning, June 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Library of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received for the first time in private audience the International Team of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Argüello, Father Mario Pezzi, and María Ascensión Romero.
Kiko greeted the Pope, telling him that he was very happy that God had given us a missionary Pope, because this is also the mission of the Neocatechumenal Way, both in countries that do not know Christ and in countries that have abandoned him.
Kiko gave him a copy of the icon of the Virgin of the Way, which is located in a chapel in Madrid Cathedral, where the words that summarize the mission of the Way are written: “We must build communities like the Holy Family of Nazareth, living in humility, simplicity, and praise. The other is Christ.” He also gave the Holy Father a copy of the latest book1 containing more than 400 quotes from Carmen on women, an expression of her theology: “Undivided Heart, Mission and Virginity,” a gift that the Pope greatly appreciated.
Kiko also recalled that it was a source of great joy that his election took place on May 8, on the feast of Our Lady of Pompeii, because this commemoration, this day, has a special meaning for the Way.
The Pope was surprised by this coincidence, and Kiko told him how just after arriving in Italy with Carmen Hernández, he was taken to Pompeii to place the Way under the protection of Our Lady of Pompeii; and also, how precisely on May 8, 1974, for the first time, a Pope, St. Paul VI, received the initiators of the Way and some itinerants in audience, Kiko recounted, saying some very prophetic words that have been of great help to the Way: “Behold the fruits of the Council… You, being what you are, are already doing apostolic work.” “You are doing what the early Church did before baptism; you are doing it afterwards; but whether before or after is secondary. What is important is that you are seeking the authenticity of Christian life, and this is something that comforts us enormously.”
During the very cordial meeting, the Team was able to inform the Pope about the numerous activities that the Way is carrying out in the Church, through a program of Christian initiation offered to parishes and dioceses, supporting families in the face of the challenges of the modern world, living their vocation, open to life in its fullness, giving many young people the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ, the only one who truly responds to their concerns.
Pope Leo XIV also marveled at the large number of families who, grateful to the Lord for the new life offered to them, have made themselves available to help the Church’s mission in the poorest and most difficult areas of the world. He was also struck by the presence of the Way in 138 countries and the number of Redemptoris Mater seminaries currently open in more than 100 dioceses on five continents, as well as the many seminarians preparing to become diocesan missionary priests.
The International Team of the Way also had the opportunity to inform the Pope about the work of evangelization carried out by so many itinerants in numerous dioceses in many countries, where the difficulties that missionary work always entails are also evident.
The Holy Father encouraged them to continue this ministry, so precious for the life of the Church, and with his blessing he confirmed the Gospel of St. John for that day (Jn 17:20-26), which speaks of love and unity, the way that leads people today to encounter faith, a word so dear to the Holy Father that he has placed it as a motto on his coat of arms: “In illo Uno, Unum,” and so present in Kiko’s experience and constitutive of the itinerary of the Way.
