On May 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV held an audience with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. The meeting brought together communities, prayer groups, evangelization schools, and leaders connected with CHARIS, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service. Vatican News listed the event as an audience from Paul VI Hall with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV warmly welcomed the participants, calling this his first meeting with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He greeted the communities and groups represented in the hall and recognized the many spiritual gifts that have marked the movement, especially its vitality, prayer, missionary energy, and service to the wider Church.

The Pope recalled that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal grew strongly in the years following the Second Vatican Council, gradually becoming more deeply integrated into the life of the Church. He also remembered how previous popes had valued the movement: Saint Paul VI saw it as a witness needed in an increasingly secularized world, Saint John Paul II emphasized its call to evangelization, Benedict XVI highlighted its attention to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Pope Francis described it as a “flood of grace” for the whole Church.

 Pope Leo XIV said he wished to strengthen the relationship of respect, closeness, and support between the See of Peter and the great family of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He focused on several key elements of the movement’s spiritual experience: baptism in the Spirit, prayer of praise, the Word of God, communion, and charity. These, he suggested, are not private spiritual experiences only, but gifts meant to renew Christian life and serve the mission of the Church.

The audience in Paul VI Hall carried a joyful and prayerful atmosphere. Members of the Renewal gathered as a visible sign of faith, worship, and unity, celebrating the work of the Holy Spirit in communities around the world. For many participants, the meeting was a historic moment of communion with Pope Leo XIV and a renewed encouragement to continue evangelizing with humility, joy, and fidelity to the Church.

Pope Leo XIV’s message was clear: the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to build up the Church, strengthen faith, deepen prayer, and inspire charity. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is called to remain rooted in Christ, open to the Spirit, united in communion, and committed to bringing the joy of the Gospel to the world.