«"God never rejects our life!": Leo XIV in the Angelus

In his Angelus address this Sunday, the Pope reflected on the rejection of Christ and how God transforms evil into redemption. On the occasion of the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, he also highlighted his work of "repairing" the Church through faith, fraternity, and love.

«"God never rejects our life." This was one of the central statements made by Leo XIV during the Angelus prayer this Sunday, as he commented on the Gospel reading, which presents Jesus as the Son of God rejected precisely by those who should have welcomed him.

The Pope pointed out that Christ «came to bring salvation» but receives condemnation, and that «whoever wants to give their life is condemned to death.» This paradox, he explained, also invites us to reflect on «the many cruelties that devastate the world and the history of nations,» but at the same time reveals «the infinite mercy» of the Father.

Leo XIV recalled the words of the psalm that Jesus applied to himself: «The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.» He explained that «it is precisely what was rejected that becomes the foundation upon which everything rests.» This, he affirmed, is how God guides history: «helping us in all our falls.».

Saint Francis and the repair of the Church

The Pope then applied the Gospel image of the vineyard to the Church, which "we build up or damage with our decisions." In this context, he wished to remember Saint Francis of Assisi, precisely on the eighth centenary of his death and during the Franciscan Jubilee Year.

Leo XIV presented the saint as "a worker who dedicated himself with great fruit in the vineyard of the Lord" and recalled that Jesus himself asked Francis to "repair his Church.".

Inspired by the Crucified Christ, Francis «built his own life above all on the foundation of Christ,» sharing «his poverty, his joy, and his sufferings,» even receiving the stigmata. The Pope also highlighted his «ardent prayer» and his «charity toward all,» as well as the witness of the first friars who shared his ascetic life as part of the reform of the Church.

«"Saint Francis repaired it by virtue of his faith in the Lord Jesus," said Leo XIV, who emphasized that he did so "by healing the cracks of discord with the witness of fraternal love.".

For the Pope, the Franciscan charism "still bears fruit today, after eight centuries." This is demonstrated both by "the large and dynamic Franciscan family" and by "the numerous gifts that its spiritual legacy bestows among the People of God.".

«"Building harmony among peoples"»

Within the framework of the Franciscan Jubilee Year, Leo XIV has invited people to ask "with perseverance for the gift of peace" and to commit themselves "sincerely to building concord among peoples.".

The Pope concluded his reflection by entrusting this task to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Before the Angelus prayer, he also reminded the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii to offer the "Supplication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.".