A two-day meeting of all the world’s cardinals and Pope Leo XIV began June 26 in Rome. The pope celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and outlined three guiding principles for the consistory: sharing in the true freedom of faith, asking for the gift of peace in unity, and embracing harmony through obedience.
At the Mass he reflected on the many conflicts affecting humanity, stressing that “war is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God.” He added that added that “peace is a duty of justice because we are one human family, a magnifica humanitas that finds its head and redeemer in Christ.”
Pope Leo opened the consistory by telling the 178 cardinals, “I need your freedom, your frankness, and your loyalty. Sincere counsel is always an act of communion.” Communion, he said, is never achieved once and for all, but requires daily conversion, prayer, trusting relationships, and a willingness to listen to one another.
Wars, Crises, and the World’s Response
The Holy See’s observer at the United Nations called on the international community to increase efforts to protect children and vulnerable people that are affected by wars.
Crises ranging from wars in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, compounded by the effects of climate change, persist throughout the world.
Amid the rubble and suffering of a population exhausted by war, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch met with clergy, religious communities, local Christian families, and people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Pope Leo Sends Aid to Earthquake-Struck Venezuela
Following two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela that left many dead, injured and displaced amid widespread destruction, Pope Leo sent an initial donation to local Catholic leaders to aid victims.
Confront World’s Hunger, Its Underlying Causes, Pope Urges
Meeting with leaders of the U.N.’s World Food Program, Pope Leo called for the world’s nations to work more closely to confront hunger and malnutrition as well as “the underlying structural causes that sustain them.” See his full address here.
A WFP official working in South Sudan said the pope’s visit encourages her organization, especially those serving in remote areas affected by conflict and climate shocks.
Mass is ‘Source of Divine Life,’ Pope Leo Teaches
On Wednesday the pope continued his series of talks on the Second Vatican Council’s reforms of the sacred liturgy, and in particular, on the celebration of the Eucharist. “Let us draw with faith from this source of divine life,” he said, “and allow ourselves to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate.”
Meanwhile in response to a request from German bishops, a Vatican dicastery ruled that lay persons may not preach a homily at Mass.
Prisoners Earn College Degrees from Polish Catholic University
In Poland, the Catholic University of Lublin is granting degrees to inmates who earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees while serving their sentences in prison. “I feel proud,” said one prisoner after completing his final exam. “It was hugely stressful, but also a great joy. I am moved that I am doing something with my life.”
Pope Leo told leaders of Jesuit colleges in North America that universities are powerful channels to promote solidarity and common good, and important spaces to confront the challenges facing humanity today.
‘You’re gonna like this guy. He’s a good fella.’
Director Martin Scorcese wrote a reflection about capturing the sense of wonder in filmmaking as he accepted a tribute from a film society in Milan, Italy.
Pope Leo addressed a group of writers from around the world at the Vatican, reminding them that writing is an act of humanity, truth, and the search for God.
“We need you. We need your imagination, your narrative creativity, and your lively thinking. We need these to create spaces of freedom and authenticity, within which divine grace can make the promise of consolation and peace resound,” Pope Leo said.
Coming Soon: New Film, Collections of Homilies by Pope Leo, Pope Benedict
As a new documentary film about Pope Leo from Vatican News was set to premiere on July 1, the Holy See announced that a collection of his writings from his time as head of the Augustinian order will be made available in English.
Also in English is a new collection of previously unpublished homilies of Pope Benedict XVI.
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