Home · Faith · Sep 9 archive
Pope Leo XIV Warns of Western Paradox on Individual Freedom
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV has warned of a 'paradox' in Western societies where individual freedom is increasingly seen as absolute autonomy, yet fear of judgment is widespread.
Pope Leo XIV has addressed the participants at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, urging them to bear witness to the unity of the human family and emphasizing the importance of interior life. During his address, the Pope highlighted the paradox in Western societies where the emphasis on individual freedom coexists with a growing fear of being judged.
In his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, the Pope explained that freedom is increasingly presented as absolute autonomy, the ability to pursue happiness without any moral, natural, or even human limits. He called for a renewed commitment to unity as a response to the divisions afflicting the contemporary world, and encouraged the bishops to strengthen their interior lives, urging them to become contemplatives.
The Pope's visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel was significant, as it marked the second time he has visited the basilica since becoming pope. He recalled his previous surprise visit to the shrine just days after his election in the May 2025 conclave, where he prayed before the image of the Virgin Mary. Pope Leo XIV emphasized that Mary is the dawn of a new day, a symbol of hope for the Church, and called for her Good Counsel to guide decisions of authentic conversion.
The shrine, entrusted to the Augustinians since the 14th century, has a rich history of drawing pilgrims, including several popes such as Urban VIII, Pius IX, John XXIII, and John Paul II, who are depicted in frescoes on the walls of the basilica. Pope Leo XIV arrived in Genazzano shortly after 5 p.m. and celebrated Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, where he reflected on the dramatic struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, that characterizes human life today.
What's confirmed
- In this context, he said, freedom “is increasingly presented as absolute autonomy — the ability to pursue happiness without any moral, natural, or even human limits,” as he noted in his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.
- During his address, the pope called for a renewed commitment to unity as a response to the divisions afflicting the contemporary world.
- Addressing the participants as heirs to Lubich’s spiritual legacy and ministers of the Church in a fragmented world, the pope urged them to bear witness to the unity of the human family.
- “Indeed, we must become contemplatives!” the pope told the bishops, encouraging them to strengthen their interior lives.
- Pope Leo XIV warned Wednesday of a “paradox” in Western societies where a growing emphasis on individual freedom coexists with an increasingly widespread fear of being judged.
What's still developing
- The Pope celebrates Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano The Pope told the seminarians that the call of God is gratuitous and not based on any merit of theirs, adding that their presence is a sign of hope for the Church in that God continues to call.
- “As you may remember, ‘in the early days of my pontificate, I felt the duty and a deep desire to visit Genazzano, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who has accompanied me throughout my life with her maternal presence, her wisdom and the example of her love for her Son, who is always the center of my faith,'” the pope said at the start of his homily, quoting words he wrote in the shrine’s guest book on his first visit.
- The shrine holds special significance for Pope Leo, who visited many times prior to his election as pope.
- (OSV News) — The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s general audience address given Sept.