What Clarence Taught George Bailey — And What You’ve Taught Me

A Thanksgiving reflection on friendship, this community, our purpose, and the work ahead.

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Dear friends —

On Thanksgiving, let me say this as plainly as I can: from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

In just a few months, people from all over the world have written in to say how much this community has meant to them and to those they love.

Some have found renewed faith in the Church. Others have found renewed hope for our country.

Many of you have said that Letters from Leo has helped you see this moment in history with a little more clarity and a little less despair.

Your notes, emails, and messages over these past weeks and months have meant more to me than you know.

You’ve told me this work has given you hope for the future of our beloved country. I want you to know: you’ve given me hope, too.

Along the way, we’ve had a loyal cadre of friends who have walked with us from the very beginning.

It reminds me of what Clarence says to George Bailey at the end of Pope Leo’s favorite movie It’s A Wonderful Life:

“Remember, George: no person is a failure who has friends.”

Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for being our friend.

As much as a person can love an institution, I love this Church and this country — flaws and all. That’s why I’ve poured everything I have into this work. I bring neither silver nor gold to this project, only the gifts God gave me: my back, my mind, and my heart.

This work is only possible because of your generosity. If Letters from Leo has added value to your life — or to the life of someone you love — I’m humbly asking for your support this holiday season.

We are 100% sustained by our readers. There is no corporate backing, no billionaire benefactor — just you.

Our goal is simple but ambitious: to build this newsletter into a force that can have a tangible impact on the future of our nation, our Church, and, in some small way, the wider world.

Based on the growth we’ve seen in these first few months, experts we’ve consulted believe Letters from Leo could reach one million subscribers by the 2028 election.

Imagine what a community of that size — formed, hopeful, and engaged — could do to make this country a little more just and a little less cold.

But none of that is inevitable. It will only happen if people like you decide this work is worth sustaining.

If you’re in a position to give, I’m asking for your help.

Inspired by Pope Leo XIV, we want to bring a revolution of tenderness to American politics, culture, and media. If you want to support that mission, here are three concrete ways you can help:

• Subscribe as a paid member to receive exclusive posts about the life and formation of Pope Leo and help sustain this newsletter.

• Donate with a one-time gift to fuel this project’s mission.

• Share this post (and Letters from Leo) with a friend who might enjoy it.

Whether you give $0, $1, or $1,000, your presence here matters. That’s true no matter your faith, your doubts, or your politics.

The biggest thing I ask for is your prayers. They sustain us in this work.

Thank you for all you do. Together, we will not hide from history. We’ll make it.

PS — If God has blessed you with the resources and you’d like to make a larger gift — through a credit card, check, family foundation, or donor-advised fund that isn’t compatible with the link above — please reply to this email. We’ll gladly help you make that gift and invest in this mission.