Vatican City, September 30 — Pope Leo XIV met with the International Commission of Dominican Contemplative Nuns at the Vatican on the morning of September 30, 2026, affirming that the contemplative vocation lies at the heart of the Church’s mission rather than on its margins. According to the statement from the meeting, the Pope emphasized that contemplative life in the Dominican spirit and in the Church as a whole does not stand apart from mission but is its beating heart.
He expressed joy at receiving the nuns shortly after the recognition of the heroic virtues of Sister Maria Petra Giordano, a professed nun of the Order of Preachers, whose life was marked by faith and vocation as fixed points of consecration. Officials confirmed that Pope Leo XIV recalled the contributions of Dominican spirituality, citing Jordan of Saxony, who described the nuns of the first female communities as devoted primarily to contemplative prayer and study, accompanying the preaching of the brothers through penance and sharing in the same charism.
He also referred to Saint Thomas Aquinas, who upheld Saint Dominic’s insight that every true word of proclamation must arise from silence, listening, prayer, and a profound relationship with God. The Pope urged the nuns to ensure their gatherings are first and foremost moments of encounter with the Lord — in prayer, in mutual listening, in fraternal correction, and in reconciliation.
He placed particular emphasis on silence as a fundamental value of cloistered life, stating that to be silent is an act of the will involving the whole person, helping one live solid relationships animated by the Word of God. He explained that silence creates spaces of freedom and truth to safeguard attention, become sensitive to the voice of those who ‘do not count,’ and grow in wisdom and generosity.
The Pope reiterated that this value is especially important in a world marked by speed, in which everything must be immediately visible and every emptiness is quickly filled. Lastly, Pope Leo XIV invited the nuns to listen to what the Spirit is asking of Dominican contemplative nuns. The meeting concluded with no further public details released.
As of the date of writing, no subsequent statements or actions from the Vatican on this matter have been reported. Observers note that the Pope’s remarks continue to highlight the internal spiritual priorities of the Church amid broader global discussions on faith and modernity. The focus now turns to how these reflections may influence future directives for contemplative orders.
