Christ to the World is an international review of documentation and apostolic experiences founded by Fr. Francis Xavier Legrand, CICM (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scheut) in 1955, after his return to Italy from China, where he was a missionary for 25 years and spent 32 months in prison during one of the many persecutions against Christians. On 25 January 1955, Fr. Legrand submitted to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide his project to found a Catholic review serving the missionary apostolate. A letter dated 17 March 1955 bearing the signatures of the Prefect and the Secretary of the Congregation approved the project. In September of the same year the first number of Christ to the World, English edition, together with the French edition (Le Christ au Monde), was published.

In 1979 Card. Agnelo Rossi, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation, made provisions that the review move its office into the Propaganda Fide building, where it is presently located and where it is encouraged to “spread the authentic thinking of the Church in the immense field of the evangelization of peoples.” In 1990 the management of the review was assigned to the Institute of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.

The review, published with the ecclesiastical approbation of the Vicariate of Rome, has the specific objective of making the Papal Magisterium known, especially documents and instructions regarding the apostolate. Furthermore the review has the aim of informing all missionaries (priests, religious and laity) concerning successful and fruitful experiences and apostolic ventures both in missionary countries as well as in places where secularization and religious indifference harm the Christian people. Of particular interest is the publication of some articles which examine and expose various doctrinal and pastoral errors, putting readers on their guard. Recently a section on Mariology has been added to the review, making readers aware of “the signs of the times.” Included also are lives of saints, book reviews, and news items on principal events and ventures of local churches.

Presently the review is published every two months, with an annual circulation of 13,000 copies and reaching more than a hundred countries, notably countries where there are missions ad gentes.

The review is compact with slim dimensions (14 x 20 cm.) and has a three-color cover, no pictures, and about 100 pages per copy.