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Pope Leo XIV: Holiness Is a Universal Vocation
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In Short: During his Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that holiness is a universal vocation, not a privilege reserved for a select few.
During his Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that holiness is a universal vocation, not a privilege reserved for a select few. He reflected on the Solemnity of All Saints, calling it a hope-filled message that God sees the goodness hidden from us and calls every person to holiness.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as a sign of hope coming from the world of sport. He noted that the games bring together people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life.
Pope Leo XIV stressed that holiness cannot be reduced to any calculation, as the saints have spread good around them in the world. He encouraged people to foster peace in both significant and everyday situations.
The pope noted that God sees the goodness hidden from us and calls every person to holiness, regardless of their background or culture. He emphasized that it is impossible to count the multitude of brothers and sisters who have not been formally recognized but are known to God.
Pope Leo XIV’s message aligns with previous statements made during his papacy, emphasizing the universal call to holiness. He noted that God sees the good that we do not see and knows stories that we do not know.
The pontiff’s emphasis on the universal call to holiness is consistent with his previous teachings, reinforcing the idea that holiness is accessible to all, not just a select few.
Pope Leo XIV also mentioned a recent humanitarian operation to assist civilians in Oleshky, expressing hope that cooperation between the parties involved would lead to further steps toward peace.
Pope Leo XIV noted that the Friars Minor will hold a Mission with the Poor in Rome from Nov. 8–15, further emphasizing his commitment to the universal call to holiness.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on the universal call to holiness is consistent with his previous statements and teachings, reinforcing the idea that holiness is accessible to all, not just a select few.
Background
During his Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the Solemnity of All Saints, stressing that holiness is a universal vocation rather than a privilege reserved for a select few.
What's confirmed
- The pontiff said the Solemnity of All Saints offers a “hope-filled message”: God sees goodness hidden from us and calls every person to holiness.
- Finally, ahead of the Nov. 2 Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, the pope announced that he would celebrate Mass at Rome’s Verano Cemetery.
- Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that holiness is a calling for everyone, not an achievement reserved for a select group, as he reflected on the Solemnity of All Saints during his Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.
- “Originally from Spain, they responded generously to the Lordʼs call to evangelize the peoples of the Americas, even to the point of giving their lives,” the pope said.
- “The Solemnity of All Saints, which we celebrate today, invites us to share in the joy of that countless family of men and women who, following the Lord Jesus, have made their lives a gift to God and to their neighbors,” the Pope said.
- Quoting Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Spe Salvi, Leo said the saints, along their different paths to holiness, “have longed for ‘the ocean of infinite love.’” The Pope noted that the Church celebrates not only canonized saints on Nov.
- “Holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few, but a universal vocation that speaks to each of us where we live,” Leo said.
- Pope Leo said the saints brought forth “actions and choices of love that transcend the calculations of greed and the arrogance of evil, which at times seems to prevail”.
What's still developing
- Pope Leo XIV: ‘Holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few’ (By Marco Mancini, EWTN News ) Enter the username or e-mail you used in your profile.
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