No Separation To Your Personality

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On August 28, 2025, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful address in French to a delegation of officials from France's Diocese of Créteil. In his remarks, the Holy Father directly challenged the false notion that faith and public life should be separate. He emphasized that the salvation of Christ encompasses all aspects of human existence, including culture, politics, and the economy. Citing the Church's social doctrine, Pope Leo insisted that charity, a gift from God, can transform structures, legal systems, and social organizations from within. For the pope, a Christian’s faith is not a private matter to be left at home when they enter the public sphere; it must inform every aspect of their being and work.

Pope Leo XIV told the politicians that there is no separation in their personality—they are not one person as a politician and another as a Christian. Instead, they must live out their political responsibilities in a Christian manner, guided by their conscience and faith. The Holy Father exhorted these public figures to deepen their understanding of Catholic doctrine, especially social doctrine, and to implement it as they draft laws and carry out their duties. He acknowledged that this is no easy task, and that doing so will inevitably lead to opposition and pressure, even from within their own political parties. However, he encouraged them to be courageous and remain united to Christ.

This call to action for public officials is not just for the politicians of Vale de Marne, France, but for all Catholics in public life. The Holy Father’s words reflect the consistent teaching of the Church, particularly the Second Vatican Council's documents Lumen Gentium and Apostolicam Actuositatem. These documents clearly state that laypeople are called to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and ordering them according to God’s will. As Catholics, we cannot be afraid to defend the truths of our faith in the public square. When we put Christ and the social doctrine of the Church before our political allegiances, we truly work toward the common good.

Action Item for Catholics: Consider how your own political views align—or misalign—with the Church’s social doctrine. Spend time studying a document like the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and look for ways to bring your faith more fully into your public life. 

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