As the Knights continue their mission across the globe, a video message from the Holy Father reinforces what Blessed McGivney knew from the start.
At the 143rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Washington, D.C., Pope Leo XIV addressed members with a powerful call: to become visible signs of Christian hope in a world burdened by hardship and uncertainty.
In a video message shared during the opening ceremonies — attended by thousands both in person and virtually — the Pope spoke directly to the heart of the convention’s theme, “Heralds of Hope,” linking the mission of the Knights to the Church’s broader celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
This holy year, as Pope Leo XIV reminded the audience, invites all people to rediscover hope as a virtue — not as vague optimism, but as what Pope Francis once described as “the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.”
Rooted in the Paschal Mystery, Christian hope finds its source in Jesus Christ, and in the Church’s ongoing mission to proclaim the Gospel through word and deed.
“For those experiencing hardships of any kind,” the Pope said, “we are called to be tangible signs of hope.”
He pointed to the Knights’ founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, as a model of such hope in action.
A parish priest in 19th-century Connecticut, McGivney responded to the suffering of immigrant Catholic families not only by offering the sacraments but by creating a brotherhood that provided practical, financial, and spiritual support. From these humble beginnings, the Knights of Columbus has grown into one of the largest Catholic fraternal organizations in the world, with over 2 million members across continents.
Charity today
Pope Leo XIV commended the Knights for carrying McGivney’s legacy into the present. He praised their dedication to prayer, fraternity, and charitable service — particularly their work on behalf of the unborn, mothers in crisis, children, the poor, and those affected by war. These acts of mercy, he said, bring not only material relief, but genuine hope and healing.
The Pope also affirmed the importance of gathering men into intentional communities of faith, where formation and spiritual brotherhood can take root. In an era often marked by isolation and confusion, such efforts are countercultural — and vital.
“With these brief words,” he concluded, “I offer my good wishes for the work of the Supreme Convention, which I entrust to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and to the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney.”
As the Knights continue their mission across the globe, this message from the Holy Father reinforces what Blessed McGivney knew from the start: holiness begins at home, in parishes and families, wherever people choose to love their neighbor and serve with courage.
