VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When the Catholic Church celebrates World Mission Sunday for the 100th time in 2026, it will focus on theme, “One in Christ, united in mission.”
The theme, chosen by Pope Leo XIV, is a reflection of his episcopal motto, “In Illo uno unum,” or literally “In the One, we are one.”
The Vatican announced Oct. 31 the theme for the 2026 observance, which will be celebrated Oct. 18. A papal message on the theme is expected in early February.
The theme “highlights the unity of believers in the faith, founded on the unity of Christ with the Father, and the consequent shared mission of evangelization,” the Vatican said.
For World Mission Sunday, Catholics around the globe spend time learning about the Catholic missions, pray in support of missionaries and make donations to support the work of the church in mission lands.
Ahead of the 2025 celebration, Pope Leo had issued a video explaining that “when I served as a missionary priest and then bishop in Peru, I saw first-hand how the faith, the prayer and the generosity shown on World Mission Sunday can transform entire communities.”
As an Augustinian priest, Pope Leo had served in the missions in Peru from 1985 to 1999 and then as apostolic administrator and later bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023.
Pope Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday in 1926 to ensure that Catholics around the world shared responsibility for the missionary work of the church.
UPDATE: Pope Leo appoints Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly to Vatican dicastery
Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 25 appointed the Knights of Columbus’ Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
To experience true relationship with God in the liturgy, faithful’s participation cannot be passive, pope says
“Firmly rooted” in the Church’s living tradition, the liturgical reform put forth by the Second Vatican Council grew from the need for the faithful to celebrate the liturgy more “consciously and actively,” and not “as strangers and silent spectators,” Pope Leo XIV said.
Vatican’s top diplomat begins visit to Russia as European leaders flock to Kyiv
Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, arrived in Moscow Aug. 24 for a four-day visit, with meetings scheduled with Russian government, Orthodox and Catholic leaders.
Continue Reading Vatican’s top diplomat begins visit to Russia as European leaders flock to Kyiv
Pope Leo XIV: See Jesus in the face of every person with disabilities
Pope Leo XIV said Aug. 24 that recognizing Jesus in the face of each person with disabilities helps to advance society.
Continue Reading Pope Leo XIV: See Jesus in the face of every person with disabilities
Pope Leo meets Lebanese president; Vatican concerned over border deal implementation
Pope Leo XIV met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun as the Vatican expressed concerns over stalled efforts to implement a U.S.-backed border agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
‘Prayer is our number one weapon’ against Russian aggression, says papal nuncio to Ukraine
As Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine — which continues attacks launched in 2014 — nears its fifth year, OSV News sat down Aug. 12 with Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, papal nuncio to Ukraine, for a reflection on faith and prayer amid relentless conflict.
Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
