The General Assembly of the Pontifical Missionary Societies (POM) is taking place in Rome now until Wednesday, June 3. An opportunity to meet again for all the National Directors coming from the five continents and to exchange views on how to reawaken missionary responsibility among all the baptised and how to support ecclesial communities in the areas where the Church is young. The programme includes an audience with Pope Leo XIV on Monday morning, June 1. The Assembly is held at the “Collegio internazionale San Lorenzo di Brindisi” of the Capuchin Friars and was opened by Card. Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. On Sunday, May 31, the participants will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Saint Philomena, then they will move to Naples to visit the Cathedral and venerate the relics of Saint Januarius. During their working sessions, the reports of the four General Secretaries will present – as explained on the website of Fondazione Missio – the work and budgets of every single Society, and new projects to be supported by the funds raised on World Mission Day (WMD) will be presented and approved too. Special attention will be given to the theme of the WMD 2026, due to take place on Sunday, October 18, with the slogan “One in Christ, United in Mission”. Actually, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of World Mission Day will be commemorated this year. In his reflection on opening the Assembly, Card. Tagle gave a spiritual reinterpretation of Pope Leo XIV’s message for WMD 2026.