León XIV recommends not interrupting your dialogue with the Lord and never judging Him

In front of the many pilgrims and faithful gathered in Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father remarked during the Angelus The Gospel for Sunday, August 30, in which the first of the apostles, Peter, expresses his disagreement with the Lord regarding Jesus“ revelation about His impending Passover: His suffering and execution, and His resurrection on the third day. ”Far be it from you, Lord! That cannot happen to you,” he says to him.

It had been only a moment since he had recognized Him as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And now, however—surprised and perhaps disappointed by what he had heard, in contrast to the beautiful profession of faith he had just made—he rebuked Him, the Pope explained.

"Nor is it always easy for us to understand and accept God’s ways, especially when they are so far removed from our own," Leo XIV continued. 

Contrary to all logic of faith, we are tempted to think that the Lord is the one who is mistaken or, worse still, that He does not listen to us or care about us. 

Peter's Teaching: Trust

In the face of this uncertainty, Peter—even in his impulsiveness—teaches us two important things, the Pope emphasized.

“The first is never to interrupt our dialogue with the Lord—not even at times like these—but rather to confidently express to him our difficulty in understanding what he is asking of us.”.

The second is “never to judge God’s actions, but rather to listen humbly, in prayer, to what He is revealing to us through His actions, even when they do not meet our expectations.”.

The greatness of the first of the apostles is also evident in this, the Pontiff noted.

Because Jesus replies, “Get behind me, Satan!” and explains to him and the other disciples that, in order to follow in his footsteps, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.”.

Pedro will remain faithful even unto martyrdom

Pedro will do so after hearing it; he will take on the challenge and stay faithful "He has remained faithful to the words of Christ—whom he has recognized as his Redeemer—throughout his entire life, even unto martyrdom," emphasized the Successor of Peter.

In closing, the Pope encouraged us to ask the Lord, in our life of faith and in our prayer, “for the same sincerity that Peter had, humbly telling Him what we truly feel, even when our hearts are confused;  and, at the same time, that we may cultivate his docility, accepting what He asks of us even beyond our expectations.”. 

 And let's do it with Mary's help.

Prayer and Solidarity for Haiti, Nepal, and the Care of Creation

After the Angelus prayer, Leo XIV spoke about the horrific massacre in Haiti, expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families, and called for the urgent and unconditional release of the hostages. He also prayed for the victims of the devastating flood in Nepal.

Finally, after greeting various groups of pilgrims, the Pope recalled World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation next Tuesday, September 1, when he will preside over Mass in the Pontifical Gardens at Castel Gandolfo.