Schoenstatt
Apostolic Movement

February 3, 2026
Church, Pilgrim Mother

The Pilgrim Mother arrives at Pope Leo’s home through the hands of Father Alexandre

Andressa Collet - Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV, among the series of audiences on Monday, February 2, 2026, received Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, Superior General of the Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers and President of the International Schoenstatt Work. The meeting was described as “pleasant” by Father Alexandre, and it took place at an opportune moment to recall the time when the Pontiff lived in Chiclayo, the Peruvian diocese where he was bishop and where he had many contacts with the Schoenstatt Family.

“He already knew about the movement in his diocese of Chiclayo: some of our priests had already been there to give a retreat to the clergy, and he remembered that; he also remembered his contact with the seminarians and the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, which is present in the diocese of Chiclayo. We began our conversation there. Then we discussed João Luiz Pozzobon: last year, he himself declared him venerable, and we noted the importance of a permanent deacon and father of a family being on his way to sainthood. He could be the first blessed who could serve as an example for deacons around the world. In this sense, he was also very interested in the cause and sought to learn more.”

The Pilgrim Mother arrives at the Pope’s house

In fact, Leo XIV himself authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon, on June 20, 2025. João Pozzobon, a native of Santa Maria (Brazil) and member of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, was the creator of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, which accelerated the movement’s expansion throughout the world. It is currently present in more than 200 countries, visiting not only homes but also hospitals, prisons, schools, and businesses. In Brazil alone, for example, more than four million homes receive monthly visits. This time, it arrived at the home of the Pontiff:

“I also had the opportunity to give him an image of the Pilgrim Mother and a Unity Cross, an important symbol of our Movement, since the founder saw in this cross the permanent companion and collaborator of Jesus in the work of Redemption, which is a description of Mary’s mission at the hour of salvation, very appropriate for today. I believe that today this is what the Church really teaches, and we also talked a little about it.”

Other aspects of the life of the Schoenstatt Movement also aroused the Holy Father’s interest. On the agenda for the audience with Leo XIV, Fr. Alexandre concluded to Vatican News, was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Mary, which will be commemorated in 2026, a century of history and collaboration with the Church for the evangelization of the nations.