Pope Leo Tells Teachers (and Parents) to Guide with Love

Colleen Mallette observes that insights from Pope Leo XIV’s speech to educators also apply to moms. 

Recently I was blessed to go on an 11-day private pilgrimage to Italy. Most of our trip was spent in Rome for the Jubilee of Education, one week out of this Jubilee Year. Included in the trip was walking through the Holy Doors of the four major Basilicas plus touring the tomb of Saint Peter, the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum. It was so wonderful to see and learn so much about the history and tradition of our Catholic faith.  

Part of the Jubilee festivities that week included a talk given by Pope Leo to students one day, then to educators the next. Although the talk was in Italian, we were able to look up the English translation later in the day. As an Augustinian priest and former teacher, Pope Leo XIV has a vast background to draw upon to address this audience, and his presentation was full of good advice.   

As parents are the “first church” and primary educators of their children, I felt that a lot of what Pope Leo was encouraging the teachers to do also applies to us moms. I’d like to share what his main messages were. I encourage you to read the whole speech! 

Parents Are the First Teachers of Their Children  

Pope Leo opened his remarks by emphasizing that educators (parents) represent the Catholic Church in bringing up children and teaching them the basics of our faith and how to live that out. He mentioned that good teachers always seek to bring out the best in their students and the primary way to do that is to teach them the foundations of our faith with love.   

It makes us reflect deeply on an Augustinian teaching that states: “The love of God is the first commandment, the love of neighbor is the first practice.”   

Pope Leo stressed that teaching our children knowledge is nothing if it is not taught with love and with the intention of showing them how to love others. By putting our faith into practice and looking out for others less fortunate or struggling in any way, we spread love in our families and communities.   

When we moms show by our words and example how to love everyone as God’s beloved, we are teaching the Beatitudes and the way Jesus told His followers how to love. By showing our children how to help others who don’t have as much as they do or don’t understand their lessons as well, or to not use social media in a mean way, it leads to peace and joy in the home, neighborhood, and classrooms. It helps prepare them for difficult relationships and situations when they become adults too.   

Parents Need to Control the Use of Technology by Their Children  

The pope didn’t shy away from the disturbing trend of increased use of cellphones and AI technology. He expressed concern that both are taking the human element of interaction away from our children, which could explain the increase in anxiety among young people.   

We live in a world dominated by technological screens and filters that are often superficial, whereas students need help to get in touch with their inner selves.   

He is saying that children need to encounter people to learn how to grow and adapt to society, and teachers (and parents) are integral in providing that human interaction. The use of AI “gives children the illusion that they do not need other people and that is very harmful.”   

The pope is also pointing out that a lot of what is on our kids' phones is exaggerated and downright false. Yet if parents aren’t monitoring what the children are seeing, they aren’t their primary teachers anymore. As we know, we can just ask Siri or Google any question and we get an answer within seconds. But we need to encourage our children to seek and respect their elders’ wisdom first and foremost.   

It was an honor to hear this inspiring talk from Pope Leo on how to encourage teachers (and parents) to instill love, joy, unity, and interiority in the children of our world. He concluded by asking them to keep up their good work and that he would be praying for them.  

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Copyright 2025 Colleen Mallette
Images: (top, bottom) Canva; (center) copyright 2025 Colleen Mallette, all rights reserved.