The Pope’s homily at the Holy See Jubilee mass intertwined themes of Mary’s motherhood, the Cross, and the Church’s mission of holiness and fruitfulness
Newsroom (09- June- 2025, Gaudium Press) At the Mass for the Jubilee of the Holy See, the Pope Leo XVI in his homily reflected on the spiritual significance of the Holy See’s Jubilee, intertwining themes of Mary’s motherhood, the Cross, and the Church’s mission of holiness and fruitfulness. The celebration, coinciding with the day after Pentecost, drew thousands of faithful to the Vatican, marking a moment of profound spiritual renewal.
Speaking to a congregation of clergy, religious, and laity, the pontiff drew from two biblical images: the scene at the foot of the Cross in John’s Gospel (19:25-34) and the gathering in the Upper Room in Acts (1:12-14). These passages, he said, illuminate the mystery of the Church and the Holy See’s role within it, rooted in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus and the maternal presence of Mary.
Mary as the New Eve
Pope Leo XIV began by recalling the Crucifixion, where Mary, standing beneath the Cross, was entrusted to the Apostle John as his mother, and he as her son (Jn 19:26-27). This moment, the pope explained, marked Mary’s transformation into the “new Eve,” a source of eternal life for all humanity through her association with Christ’s redemptive death. “Mary’s motherhood through the mystery of the Cross took an unimaginable leap,” he said, emphasizing her role as a universal mother.
The pontiff connected this to the Church’s fruitfulness, which mirrors Mary’s. Quoting the Collect prayer, he noted the Church’s call to be “more fruitful day by day” through Christ’s love. He stressed that this fruitfulness depends entirely on the Cross, citing theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar: “If the Church is the tree that grew from the tiny mustard seed of the cross, this tree is destined to produce mustard seeds in turn, and therefore fruits that repeat the shape of the cross, because it is precisely to the cross that they owe their existence”
Holiness as the Path to Fruitfulness for the Holy See
The pope underscored that the Church’s fruitfulness is inseparable from its holiness, which he defined as conformity to Christ. The Holy See, he said, is holy in its essence and preserved by its roots, but its holiness also depends on the personal sanctity of its members. “The best way to serve the Holy See is to strive for holiness,” he urged, citing examples of a priest who perseveres in ministry despite personal struggles and parents who remain committed amid family challenges. These acts of fidelity, he said, reflect the fruitfulness of Mary and the Church.
Mary in the Upper Room
Turning to the Acts of the Apostles, Pope Leo XIV highlighted Mary’s presence in the Upper Room, where she supported the nascent Church as a “living memory of Jesus.” Her maternal role, he said, ensured the unity of the disciples’ prayer and harmonized their differences. The pope noted that the Holy Spirit, poured out at Pentecost, flows from the same grace as the blood and water from Jesus’ pierced side (Jn 19:34), symbolizing the sacraments.
In this context, Mary’s motherhood complements the Petrine ministry, with the “Marian pole” ensuring the fruitfulness and holiness of the “Petrine pole.” The Holy See, the pope said, uniquely embodies this coexistence, drawing strength from both.
A Call to Renewal
Concluding his homily, Pope Leo XIV called for a renewed commitment to the Church’s mission, guided by God’s Word. He echoed the Collect prayer, asking that the Church, sustained by Christ’s love, “may exult in the holiness of her children and draw to her embrace all the whole human family.” The congregation responded with prolonged applause, signaling their resonance with the pope’s message.
The Jubilee celebration, enriched by the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, underscored the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to spiritual renewal and evangelization. As the faithful departed Saint Peter’s Basilica, many expressed hope that the pope’s words would inspire deeper devotion to Mary and a renewed pursuit of holiness.
Raju Hasmukh with data sourced from
Homily of Pope Leo XIV, Saint Peter’s Basilica, June 9, 2025.
Holy Bible, Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14, Gospel of John 19:25-34.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, Cordula ovverosia il caso serio (Brescia: Queriniana, 1969), 45-46.
Italian Missal, Collect for the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.
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