Vatican Issues 'Venite ad Me' to Revive Faith Transmission Amid Cultural Shifts

Key points

• The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published 'Venite ad Me' on October 22, 2026, signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and approved by Pope Leo XIV on August 21, 2026.
• The document, comprising eight chapters, responds to a request from the late Pope Francis and addresses the 'crisis in the intergenerational transmission of the Christian faith' in many parts of the world.
• It calls for a renewed focus on the 'kerygma,' or the initial proclamation of Christ's love and salvation, rather than treating faith primarily as doctrinal information.
• The text highlights that family transmission of faith has been interrupted, necessitating a shift toward evangelizing adults and strengthening ecclesial community involvement.
• It engages with Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas,' noting that the challenge of digital technologies and AI is anthropological rather than purely technical.
• The document includes personal testimonies from various countries, such as a Colombian man escaping addiction and a Belgian individual influenced by a TikTok prayer, to illustrate faith encounters.

Background

This release follows Pope Leo XIV’s recent appointment of 24 new members to the International Theological Commission, which will study cultural forms of faith transmission over the next five years. It also builds on the late Pope Francis’s earlier requests for guidance on faith transmission and Pope Leo’s encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas' on artificial intelligence and human relationships.

How outlets are covering it

Vatican News emphasizes the document’s pastoral nature, describing it as 'Considerations' rather than a doctrinal note, and highlights its focus on the kerygma and personal encounter with Christ. OSV News provides additional context on the document’s origins, noting it was requested by Pope Francis and approved by Pope Leo XIV, and details its engagement with 'Magnifica Humanitas' and the inclusion of diverse personal testimonies. Both sources agree on the document’s aim to address the crisis in faith transmission but differ in emphasis: Vatican News focuses on the theological and pastoral renewal, while OSV News highlights the historical and institutional context, including the role of the International Theological Commission.

Why it matters

The document signals a strategic shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to faith transmission, moving away from automatic intergenerational passing of faith to a more intentional, community-based, and adult-focused evangelization. It addresses the challenges posed by secularization, family breakdown, and digital technologies, offering a framework for the Church to remain relevant and effective in a changing cultural landscape.

What to watch

The International Theological Commission will devote part of its work over the next five years to the cultural forms of transmitting the faith, as indicated in the document. Bishops’ conferences and local ecclesial communities are expected to implement the document’s recommendations, including expanding opportunities for women in leadership and enhancing the role of liturgy and community in faith formation.