On a splendid day, Pope Leo XIV has been sworn in as Bishop of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran with a Eucharistic Celebration. Bishops, priests, men and women religious and lay people paid their homage to the Bishop of Rome. After the liturgy, the Pontiff was scheduled to stand in the central loggia of the Lateran Basilica to bless the city of Rome.
A city that just a short time before, in the Piazza dell'Ara Coeli, at the foot of the steps of the Campidoglio, had conveyed its homage to him from the hands of the Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri. In this brief act, the Pope expressed his wish that "Rome, incomparable for the richness of its historical and artistic heritage, may always be distinguished also for those values of humanity and civilization that draw their lifeblood from the Gospel".
"Mother of all churches".
In his homily, the Pontiff said that "the Church of Rome is heir to a great history, consolidated in the witness of Peter, Paul and countless martyrs, and has a unique mission, perfectly indicated by what is written on the façade of this cathedral: to be 'mater omnium ecclesiarum', mother of all churches".
Maternal dimension of the Church
Leo XIV continued, "Pope Francis often invited us to reflect on the maternal dimension of the Church. And on the characteristics that are proper to her: tenderness, availability, sacrifice and that capacity to listen that allows her not only to help, but often to foresee needs and expectations, even before they are formulated. These are traits that we hope will grow in the People of God everywhere, including here, in our great diocesan family, in the faithful, in the pastors, and first of all, in myself.
In his words, the Pope stressed that "we are all the more capable of proclaiming the Gospel when we allow ourselves to be conquered by the Spirit. Also, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Hope in 2025, he referred in particular to the work of the Diocese of Rome and what many who come from afar perceive: "a large, open and welcoming house, and above all, a home of faith."
After the blessing in St. John LateranThe Pope was to finish the day in another of the great Roman Basilicas. Santa Maria Maggiore, where the burial Pope Francis, in front of the icon of Santa Maria, Salus Populi RomaniThe dedication, so venerated and loved by the Romans.
Thus, Pope Leo XIV has already visited the four great papal basilicas. A few days ago he visited the fourth, St. Paul Outside the Wallswhere he venerated the tomb of St. Paul.
Pope's thanksgiving during his first Regina coeli
At 12 o'clock sharp, Pope Leo XIV appeared for the first time at the study window of the Apostolic Palace to pray the Marian prayer of the Regina coeliThe relative surprise was that he sang it again, in what may be a tradition. The relative surprise was that he sang it again, in what could be a tradition.
On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, at the beginning of his address, the Pope expressly thanked "above all for the affection that you are showing me, and at the same time I ask you to support me with your prayer and closeness".
Focus on the Lord's mercy, not on our own strength.
He went on to say that "it is precisely this Sunday's Gospel (cf. Jn. 14:23-29) tells us that we should not look to our own strength, but to the mercy of the Lord who has chosen us, confident that the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us everything".
We are two weeks away from Pentecost, June 8, and the Pontiff is already turning to him. In this way, he stressed: "To the Apostles who, on the eve of the Master's death, were troubled and anguished, wondering how they could be continuators and witnesses of the Kingdom of God, Jesus announces the gift of the Holy Spirit, with this wonderful promise: 'He who loves me will be faithful to my word, and my Father will love him; we will come to him and dwell in him' (v. 23)" (v. 23)".
"Do not fret, do not fear!"
In this way, Jesus frees the disciples from all anguish and worry and can say to them, 'Do not be anxious and do not be afraid'" (v. 27).
In the same vein, he launched another message, one more in these days, of abandonment and trust. "Although I am fragile, the Lord is not ashamed of my humanity; on the contrary, he comes to dwell within me. He accompanies me with his Spirit, enlightens me and makes me an instrument of his love for others, for society and for the world".
He concluded by encouraging us to "walk in the joy of faith, to be a holy temple of the Lord", "entrusting ourselves all to the intercession of Mary Most Holy".
Beatification in Poland, prayer for China
After the recitation of the Regina Coeli, the Pope recalled the beatification yesterday in Poznań (Poland), of "Stanislaus Kostka Streich, a diocesan priest murdered out of hatred for the faith in 1938, because his work on behalf of the poor and workers disturbed the followers of communist ideology. May his example inspire priests in particular to spend themselves generously for the Gospel and for their brothers".
Leo XIV recalled yesterday's liturgical memorial, the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians, and the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, instituted by Pope Benedict XVI. In churches and shrines in China and around the world, prayers were raised to God as a sign of solicitude and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal Church. "May the intercession of Mary Most Holy obtain for them and for us the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, so as to always promote peace and concord," Leo XIV said.
The Pope also prayed for all peoples at war, and for those who "are engaged in dialogue and in the sincere search for peace".
10 years of Laudato si': "listening to the double cry of the Earth and the poor".
The Holy Father also recalled the ten years since Pope Francis signed the Encyclical Laudato si', dedicated to the care of the common home, on May 24, 2015.
Leo XIV recalled that Laudato si' "has had an extraordinary diffusion, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching everyone to listen to the double cry of the Earth and of the poor. I salute and encourage the Laudato si' movement and all those who pursue this commitment".
