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Pope Leo XIV Honors St. Francis, Calls for Peace
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In Short: Pope Leo XIV honored St. Francis of Assisi during a Sunday address in St. Peter’s Square, marking the eighth centenary of the saint’s death.
Pope Leo XIV honored St. Francis of Assisi during a Sunday address in St. Peter’s Square, marking the eighth centenary of the saint’s death.
Drawing on the Gospel parable of the tenants, Leo XIV highlighted how Christ’s message of salvation was rejected by those who should have embraced it.
"The Son of God sent into the world is rejected by the very people who should have welcomed him with open arms," Leo XIV said, reflecting on the Gospel reading.
Leo XIV emphasized that despite humanity’s rejection of God, divine providence continues to guide history toward redemption.
"Inspired by the Crucified One, Francis first and foremost built his own life upon the foundation of Christ, sharing in his poverty, joy and sufferings, even to the point of receiving the mystical sign of the stigmata," Leo XIV noted.
The pope highlighted St. Francis’s role in renewing the Church after Christ called him to ‘repair’ it, stressing the saint’s impact on the Church’s spiritual legacy.
Leo XIV also announced a Vatican gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on marriage and family life, Amoris Laetitia.
"It will be a time of synodal discernment for identifying the steps to be taken in order to proclaim the Gospel today among families and the younger generations," Leo XIV said.
The pope called for prayers to free peoples from the scourge of war, invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
"Let us all follow their example, invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary so that peoples may be freed from the scourge of war," Leo XIV concluded.
What's still developing
- “This is how the Almighty guides history, coming to our aid in all our falls: God never discards our lives!” he said.
- “I wholeheartedly thank all the boys and girls who are joining in this prayer in so many parts of the world,” he said.
Sources
- Ewtnnewslink