Pope Leo XIV urged to expand lay roles, encourages Iraqi Christians amid persecution

A coalition of Catholic laypeople and women, calling themselves Be The Change, sent a formal letter to Pope Leo XIV and the Dicastery for Divine Worship, urging the Vatican to permit women and laypeople to preach at Mass. The letter cites the principles of synodality and the example of Mary Magdalene, arguing that lay theologians are qualified to share the Gospel.

In a separate address, Pope Leo XIV recorded a video message for the Ankawa Youth Meeting in Iraq, encouraging young Iraqi Christians to remain steadfast despite ongoing sectarian violence and the sharp decline of the Christian population. He urged them to be “the light of Christ,” to pray, and to work for peace, acknowledging the hardships faced by the community.

Both communications highlight the Pope’s engagement with issues of inclusion within the Catholic Church and the challenges confronting Christians in conflict‑affected regions.