PMU: The Pontifical Missionary Union turns 110, a conference in Rome on the future of mission

From 29 to 31 October, three days of international reflection on the roots, spirituality and new challenges of evangelization will take place at the Pontifical Urban College (Pontifical Urbaniana University Campus, Via Urbano VIII, 16), in the spirit of the pontificate of Leo XIV.

How can the missionary spirit be renewed in today’s Church? And what contribution can the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) make to forming priests, consecrated persons and laypeople able to live fully the universal dimension of the proclamation of the Gospel? These are some of the questions at the heart of the 2026 PMU International Conference, scheduled for 29–31 October at the Pontifical Urban College. Its working sessions will be held in the Blessed John Paul II Auditorium of the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

The meeting’s title, “The Universal Mission of the Church and the Service of the Missionary Union, from its Foundation to the Pontificate of Leo XIV,” recalls the Union’s history. Founded in 1916 by Blessed Paolo Manna, it invites participants to reconsider its charism in the light of today’s challenges. On the 110th anniversary of its foundation, the insight that inspires the PMU remains timely: mission is not the responsibility of a few, but a vocation shared by the entire People of God. Promoting and forming the missionary spirit among all the faithful remains a fundamental commitment, today as in the past.

Proceedings will open on Thursday, 29 October, with Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union.

Sister Monika Juszka, RMI, will retrace the Union’s origins through a historical review of the decade 1916–1926, while Father Vito del Prete, PIME, will explore the relationship between the PMU and the journey of local Churches. Father Nguyen will then lead a round table on the Union’s spirituality as expressed in the lives of blesseds and saints, beginning with Blessed Paolo Manna and moving on to two significant early members of the Missionary Union: Saint Guido Maria Conforti, founder of the Xaverian Missionaries, and Saint Giuseppe Allamano, founder of the Missionaries of the Consolata. This valuable legacy will be explored as a source of renewed impetus for the Missionary Union as it looks to the future.

On Friday, 30 October, attention will turn to missionary spirituality and charism in the service of evangelization. Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct Secretary of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will speak about the bishop’s missionary spirituality; Father Paolo Tovo, SX, about missionary priesthood; and Sister Maria Rosa Venturelli, SMC, coordinator of the Western sector of the diocesan USMI, about promoting and forming the missionary spirit in consecrated life. Contributions on Blessed Fulton Sheen and the missionary commitment expressed in papal messages for World Mission Sunday are also scheduled.

In the afternoon, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will offer a reflection on the “Church of the sheaves” and the renewal of missionary formation. Father Armando Nugnes, Rector of the Pontifical Urban College, will address the missionary conversion of seminary formation. A round table led by Father Giulio Albanese, director of the Social Communications Office and the Office for Missionary Cooperation between Churches of the Vicariate of Rome, together with Sister Maria Rosa Venturelli, will explore prospects for ad gentes formation and the fundamental role of the Missionary Union.

The closing morning, Saturday, 31 October, will focus on the future of the PMU. Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen will reflect on the Union’s renewed commitment in the light of the guidance offered by Pope Francis and Leo XIV. The conference will conclude with a commissioning Mass presided over by Archbishop Nwachukwu.

The thread running through the three days is expressed in the Missionary Union’s motto, “The whole Church for the whole world,” as well as in Saint Paul’s famous words, “Caritas Christi urget nos” (“The love of Christ urges us on”), the motto of the final session, which recalls the urgency of a mission rooted in Christ’s charity. Participation will be possible in person and online, with simultaneous interpretation into Italian, English, French and Spanish via Zoom.

An opportunity to revisit the roots of mission and renew the commitment to forming a Church in which every baptized person feels an active participant in proclaiming the Gospel, so that, in keeping with Blessed Paolo Manna’s ideal, all Churches may work together for the conversion of the whole world.