“We cannot stop at transmitting a doctrine, an observance, an ethic,” the Pope told participants at the third plenary assembly of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life on February 6, 2026. In his address, the Pope particularly emphasized the mission of educators, the central theme of this session.
Pope Leo XIV compared the transmission of faith to “giving birth,” a dynamic through which Christians lead others to Christ, “even with pain.” The role of formator is familiar to this pope, as he was in that role from 1988 to 1999 when he lived at the Augustinian house in Trujillo, Peru. He also was a teacher of math.
“We cannot stop at transmitting a doctrine, an observance, an ethic, but rather we are called to share what we live, with generosity, sincere love for souls, willingness to suffer for others, and unreserved dedication, like parents who sacrifice themselves for the good of their children,” continued the 267th pope.
Leo XIV emphasized the community dimension of the role of educator. “As indeed human life is transmitted thanks to the love of a man and a woman, so Christian life is conveyed through the love of a community,” he said. It is not a single person who engenders faith, but “the united, living Church,” in all its diversity, the Pope insisted.
Pope Leo recalls his teacher days
As a former teacher of mathematics and physics, allow me to do some calculations with you. Perhaps you will take a test in mathematics shortly. We will see. Do you know how many stars there are in the observable universe? An impressive and wonderful number: a sextillion stars — that is, a 1 followed by 21 zeros! If we divided them among the 8 billion people on Earth, each person would have hundreds of billions of stars. With the naked eye, on clear nights, we can see about five thousand. Even though there are billions upon billions of stars, we only see the closest constellations; yet these are enough to point us in a direction, as when navigating the sea.
Travelers have always found their way by the stars. Sailors followed the North Star; Polynesians crossed the ocean by memorizing star maps. According to the farmers of the Andes, whom I knew as a missionary in Peru, the sky is an open book that marks the seasons of sowing, shearing, and the cycles of life. Even the Magi followed a star to reach Bethlehem and worship the Baby Jesus.
Like them, you too have guiding stars: parents, teachers, priests and good friends, who are like compasses that help you not to lose your way amid the ups and downs of life. Like them, you are called to become shining witnesses for those around you. But, as I said, a single star on its own remains just a point of light. When it joins with others, however, it forms a constellation, like the Southern Cross. This is how it is with you: each of you is a star, and together you are called to guide the future.
Continuing his metaphor, the American-Peruvian pontiff recalled that it is not “the need to have something” that motivates parents to give life, but “the wish to give, to share the superabundance of love and joy that dwells in them.”
“It is here that every work of formation also has its roots,” he said.
A call not to be discouraged
“The art of forming is not easy, and cannot be improvised: it requires patience, listening, accompaniment and verification, both on a personal and a community level,” acknowledged the Successor of Peter. “The challenges you confront can at times seem beyond your strength and resources. However, you must not be discouraged,” he concluded, addressing the 40 or so participants at this plenary assembly.
The Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life promotes, among other things, the pastoral care of marriage and the family and also organizes World Youth Day. It was created by Pope Francis in 2016, merging other dicasteries, and has 28 officials of 10 different nationalities, including three priests. The dicastery is headed by Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell.