Pope to Waldensian Synod: Bear witness together to the freedom of God’s children

Pope Leo XIV sent his “best wishes” to the Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches, which began on Saturday, August 22, in Torre Pellice, in the northern Italian region of Piedmont.

The message, addressed to Catholic Bishop Derio Olivero, of Pinerolo, was signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Waldensian Evangelical Church is a Protestant denomination present in Italy, Switzerland and South America, that is integrated with the Methodist Evangelical Church.

The Synod of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches is taking place from August 22 to 26, 2026, in Torre Pellice, in the province of Turin. The assembly is called upon to discuss and determine its agenda and future priorities.

During the proceedings, a wide range of issues will be addressed, including peace, social justice, ecumenism, human rights, the protection of vulnerable people, sustainability, and the challenges facing Christian witness in today’s world.

Christians called to bear witness to freedom together

In the message, the Pope reflected on artificial intelligence, which was a central theme in the day preceding the opening of the Synod’s activities.

“Faced with the digital revolution,” the message states, “which seems to suggest the overcoming of the human, the Pope urges us to recognize that Christians are called to bear witness together to the freedom of human beings created in the image and likeness of God.”

Recalling a passage from the encyclical Magnifica humanitas, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need to “advance technology without allowing the human heart to regress.”

With this hope, he invoked the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s blessing upon the Synod.