On 4 February 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a General Audience that revisited the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, a key document of the Second Vatican Council. His reflections emphasized the continuing relevance of Sacred Scripture as a living encounter with God, while also stressing the vital importance of interpreting the Bible within its proper historical and literary contexts.
The Pope’s teaching serves as a timely reminder for all Catholics, clergy, catechists, and the faithful alike, of how the Church understands Divine Revelation and the role of Scripture in nurturing faith and guiding moral decisions today. This article aims to explain the background and significance of Dei Verbum, summarize the Pope’s key points, and clarify how Catholics are called to approach the Word of God.
Introduction to Dei Verbum and Its Historical Context
The Second Vatican Council, convened from 1962 to 1965, marked a major renewal in the Catholic Church’s approach to theology, liturgy, and engagement with the modern world. Among its most influential outcomes was the promulgation of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, which addresses how God communicates Himself through Scripture and Tradition.
Dei Verbum articulates the Church’s teaching that Divine Revelation is transmitted both in the written Word of God and in the living Tradition of the Church. It underscores the inspired nature of the Scriptures and calls for their careful study and faithful proclamation. Over half a century later, this document remains foundational for understanding how Catholics receive and interpret the Bible as a source of divine truth.
By returning to Dei Verbum in his 2026 General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed its continuing importance as a guide for encountering God’s revelation authentically and fruitfully.
Pope Leo XIV’s Emphasis on Scripture as a Living Encounter
Pope Leo XIV described Sacred Scripture as a “privileged space for encounter” where God continues to speak to people across all times and cultures. He highlighted that the biblical texts were written in human languages, inspired by the Holy Spirit, which means the divine message is expressed through forms accessible to human understanding.
This teaching reflects Dei Verbum’s affirmation that while the words of Scripture are human in form, they carry the truth of God’s Word without error in matters of faith and salvation. The Pope stressed that recognizing the human element, literary genres, historical circumstances, and cultural expressions, is essential to appreciating the richness and depth of the biblical message.
Avoiding Misinterpretations: The Importance of Historical and Literary Context
One of the key warnings Pope Leo XIV offered was against fundamentalist or spiritualist readings of Scripture that neglect its historical and literary context. A fundamentalist reading tends to interpret biblical texts in a rigid, literalist manner, while a spiritualist reading might detach the words from their concrete meaning to impose subjective or allegorical interpretations.
Both approaches risk misunderstanding the intended message. Instead, Pope Leo XIV encouraged a balanced approach rooted in the principles laid out by Dei Verbum, which calls for attentive study of the circumstances in which the texts were written, the author’s intent, and the literary forms used. This method ensures that the faithful receive the Word of God as it was meant to be understood and applied.
Proclaiming Scripture in Language Relevant to Contemporary Believers
The Pope also underscored the Church’s responsibility to proclaim the Word of God in ways that are accessible and meaningful to the hopes, struggles, and sufferings of people today. Scripture is not only a document of the past but a living guide that nurtures faith, charity, and moral decisions.
Clergy and catechists have a crucial role in communicating Scripture clearly and compassionately, ensuring that the message resonates with modern listeners while remaining faithful to its truth. Pope Leo XIV affirmed that Scripture’s ultimate purpose is to lead believers to the full and eternal life offered by God through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 General Audience offers a profound reminder of the enduring value of Dei Verbum as a touchstone for understanding Divine Revelation. By emphasizing the inspired yet human nature of Scripture, the necessity of historical context, and the call to accessible proclamation, he directs the Church toward a faithful and vibrant engagement with God’s Word.
For Catholics today, this teaching invites a renewed gratitude for the nourishment Scripture provides and a commitment to let that Word shape both their lives and their witness to others.
Written by Robert Patterson, M.A.
Robert holds a Master's degree in Religious Studies with a focus on Catholic Church History. He has spent over two decades researching the lives of the Popes and the history of the Papacy. PopeHistory.com has been a trusted resource for papal information since 2001.