Luigi Giussani[4] as Student Youth (Gioventù Studentesca), with the aim of presenting the Christian event in a way which is in tune with contemporary culture, making it a source of new values for the modern world.

Though GS was part of Catholic Action, differences in approach caused internal tension and an eventual schism.

In a letter to Pope John Paul II, he wrote, "Not only did I never intent to 'found' anything, but I believe that the genius of the movement whose birth I witnessed was the perceived urgency to proclaim the need to return to the elementary aspects of Christianity.

[10] John Paul II also supported the work of the Italian politician Rocco Buttiglione, a member of the Communion and Liberation, particularly those that confirmed his European and American views.

[12] Giussani's former high school and university students began to express their desire to live the experience of the movement in a more stable way.

[8] After Giussani's death on February 22, 2005, responsibility over Communion and Liberation was passed on to Spanish priest and theologian Julián Carrón, who resigned in 2021[13] and was succeeded by Davide Prosperi.

[16] Since the early stages of GS, Giussani had established his primary goals to be education to Christian maturity and collaboration in the mission of the Church in every aspect of life.

Giussani's desire to encourage readership of both Catholic and secular writers who could aid in further comprehension of the Christian experience led to the "Book of the Month," a series of texts regularly recommended by Communion and Liberation.

[14] Charitable work might constitute activities such as assisting people who are elderly or disabled, tutoring immigrant children, or providing support for families in need.

[19] Communion and Liberation communities regularly engage in local cultural initiatives, occasionally giving life to events that have become popular in time.

[25] The official magazine of Communion and Liberation is Traces, a monthly publication that is available in eleven languages, including English.

[29] In 2012, when Formigoni resigned as governor due to scandals, Carrón released an interview in which he stated, "There may have been people who used CL in a certain way ... we don't intervene in the documents or acts of those with political responsibilities.