Pope at the Angelus: “God bless Spain always!”

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his gratitude to the Lord and to the Spanish people for the apostolic journey from June 6 to 12 to Spain, in the Àngelus of this XI Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Before Romans and pilgrims from various countries who displayed banners and slogans, some of them Spanish, like a large group of nuns, the Pope thanked the trip in an affectionate and special way “to His Majesty the King, to the bishops, to the communities I have visited, and to the whole Church in Spain. May God always bless Spain,” he said after praying the Marian prayer of the Angelus.

New blessed martyrs, victims of totalitarian regimes

The Holy Father then recalled some of the newly beatified: the diocesan priests Wenceslas Drbola and John Bula, from Moravia; and John Šwierc and eight companions, Polish Salesian priests. All have been beatified as martyrs because they were victims of persecution by totalitarian regimes for their fidelity to Christ, the Pontiff noted.

Yesterday in Mato Grosso, Brazil, Nazareno Lanciotti, a Roman missionary priest, was beatified, “also a martyr, because in the name of the Gospel he defended the poorest. May the example and intercession of these courageous witnesses sustain the mission of priests and of the whole Church.

Proximity to the Philippines and other greetings

The Pope also showed his closeness to the people of the Philippines, affected a few days ago by a strong earthquake. I pray for the deceased and their families, for the injured and for all those who suffer because of this calamity.

He greeted the Romans and pilgrims from various countries, and in a particular way the members of the International Commission for Dialogue between the Disciples of Christ and the Catholic Church. “May your reflections help us to grow in communion”.

He also addressed pilgrims from the United States of America, in particular the faithful of New Jersey and the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida, and various Italian groups.

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes

In his brief address, the Successor of Peter referred to today's Gospel (Mt 9:36-10:8), in which Christ “when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were weary and desolate” (v. 36). 

The Son of God looks at people, he looks at humanity: he sees the oppression that crushes and the violence that takes away strength. He sees the wounds of wars and the emptiness of consumerism. He sees faces reduced to masks, families broken by evil and young people deluded by false ideals, the Pope said.

“Jesus sees and loves. He loves and suffers for us, with us: his compassion expresses not only fraternal closeness, but the will of redemption. 

Indeed, He knows our heart and cares for it; before so many people who seem to be “sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36), Christ dedicates Himself to all of them as a good shepherd and, as Lord of the harvest, sends out laborers into the field of the world (cf. v. 38)”.

What is the work they must do, he asked. His answer was: “To bring the consolation of God to those who suffer: to bring charity where there is misery, hope where there is affliction, faith where there is distrust”.

To the Virgin Mary: may we respond with joy and courage to the mission.

Jesus“ gaze transforms reality: filled with love, his initiative gives life to a new people, the Church, which is called to continue the mission of the apostles: ”Freely you have received, freely give“ (v. 8). Yes, the gift of Jesus is totally free, because its value exceeds every measure: it is impossible to deserve it or ”buy it," the Pope continued.

“Dear brothers and sisters, the task of evangelization is born of the gift of God that in Christ becomes forgiveness for the world, service to the least and the poorest, commitment to justice. Let us ask for the help of the Virgin Mary, full of grace, so that we may respond with joy and courage to the mission to which Jesus calls us,” he prayed in St. Peter's Square before thousands of pilgrims.