Pope Leo XIV

We thank the Lord for families who, despite difficulties and challenges, live “the spirituality of family love made up of thousands of small but real gestures” (Amoris Laetitia, 315).

#SaintJoseph cared for the family that the Lord entrusted to him. Guardianship means being attentive to others, respecting their choices, and caring for them. St. Joseph shows us that presence and guardianship are inseparable dimensions: we can only care for others by being present, and we are only present when we assume responsibility for the other.

All men and women, especially Christians, are called to fix their gaze on those who suffer, on the pain of the lonely, and on those who are emarginated for various reasons, for without them we cannot build a just society. Only together can we build communities of solidarity capable of caring for everyone, in which wellbeing and peace can flourish for the benefit of all. Caring for the humanity of others helps us to live our own lives to the full.

The Holy Spirit continues to grant us special graces to enrich and build up the body of Christ. We should recognize these manifold gifts and express our gratitude to God for allowing us to take part in His work of salvation. #GeneralAudience #LumenGentium

In the dramatic circumstances of war, information must guard against the risk of turning into propaganda. It is every journalist's duty to verify the news, so as not to become a megaphone for power. They must show the suffering that war always brings to populations, which entails showing the face of war and recounting it through the eyes of victims.

On behalf of the Christians of the #MiddleEast, and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire! May paths of dialogue be reopened! Violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace for which the peoples are waiting.

In the face of the many questions of the human heart, as well as tragic situations of injustice, violence and suffering that mark our time, our faith needs to be alert, attentive and prophetic. Faith should open our eyes to the darkness of the world, and bring others the light of the Gospel through our commitment to peace, justice and solidarity.

The #GospelOfTheDay (Jn 9:1-41) narrates the healing of a man blind from birth. We too are healed by the love of Christ and are called to live our faith with “open eyes.”

Justice is not only a juridical principle. Justice is a virtue that helps to build communion and give stability to the life of the community.

Love and truth cannot be separated. Only by loving do we come to know the truth, and love of truth leads us to discover charity as its fulfillment.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation restores our unity with God through the forgiveness of sins and the infusion of sanctifying grace. This generates the inner unity of the person and unity with the Church. It fosters peace and unity within the human family. One might ask: do those Christians who bear serious responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?

Unity with God, with the Church, and within ourselves is a prerequisite for #Peace among people and nations. Only a reconciled person is capable of living in an unarmed and disarming way! Those who lay down the weapons of pride and allow themselves to be continually renewed by God’s forgiveness become agents of reconciliation in everyday life. #Confession #Lent

Let us continue to pray for peace in #Iran and throughout the #Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer offer comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future. #PrayTogether

The funeral of Father Pierre El-Rahi, Maronite parish priest of a Christian village, is celebrated today in #Lebanon, as these villages once again experience the tragedy of war. I am close to all the Lebanese people in this time of grave trial. Fr. Pierre was a true shepherd. As soon as he heard that parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, he rushed to help without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed become a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon. #PrayTogether

The Church is a great sign of hope for our times, traversed by so many conflicts and wars. We are a people in which women and men of different nationalities, languages, and cultures live together in faith. It is a sign placed in the very heart of humanity, offering a reminder and prophecy of the unity and peace to which God the Father calls all His children. #GeneralAudience

We must allow God to teach us how to listen as He does. We must recognize that the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church. #Lent

Today marks #WomensDay. Let us renew our commitment to recognize the equal dignity of man and woman. Unfortunately, many women, from childhood onward, are still discriminated against and suffer various forms of violence. My solidarity and prayer go to them in a special way.

Reports from #Iran and across the entire #MiddleEast continue to cause deep dismay and raise the fear that the conflict will expand, and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, may once again sink into instability. Let us #PrayTogether for the roar of bombs to cease, weapons to fall silent, and space to open for dialogue, in which people's voices may be heard.

There is no energy better spent than that dedicated to freeing our heart. For this reason, Lent is a gift.

Jesus is God’s response to our thirst. The encounter with him stirs in the depths of each person “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” (Jn 4:14). How many people in the entire world are searching even today for this spiritual spring! #GospelOfTheDay