Pope Leo celebrates Lateran Basilica feast, stresses spiritual Church unity, prays for Philippines typhoon victims, backs Italy’s Thanksgiving, demands war end.
Newsroom (10/11/2025, Gaudium Press ) In his Sunday Angelus address on the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Pope Leo urged Catholics to embrace a “spiritual outlook” on the Church, portraying it as a living communion rooted in Christ rather than mere physical structures.
Delivered from St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff described the Basilica — the Cathedral of Rome and seat of the Pope — as a symbol of unity and maternal care for global Christians. “It is not only a work of extraordinary historical, artistic and religious value,” he said, “but it also represents the driving force of the faith entrusted to and preserved by the Apostles.”
Highlighting the Basilica’s twelve Apostle statues, Leo drew parallels to the Gospel account of Jesus purifying the Temple (John 2:13-22). He stressed that the true sanctuary is Christ himself, the risen mediator who transforms believers into “living stones” of a spiritual edifice (1 Peter 2:4-5). “We are the Church of Christ, his body, his members called to spread his Gospel of mercy, consolation and peace,” he added.
Acknowledging human frailties and prejudices that obscure the Church’s mystery, Leo quoted theologian Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI): Her holiness stems from God’s “gift… never retracted,” choosing imperfect vessels with “paradoxical love.”
The Pope invoked Mary, Mother of the Church, to foster welcoming Christ in daily life.
Post-Angelus, Leo expressed solidarity with the Philippines amid a devastating typhoon. “I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and displaced,” he said.
Marking Italy’s Thanksgiving Day, he echoed bishops in promoting sustainable agriculture, anti-waste efforts, and gratitude for “our sister Mother Earth,” citing St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle.
Greeting pilgrims from Poland, the U.S., Spain, the U.K., and Italian groups, Leo praised peacebuilders in war zones. Decrying civilian deaths — including children, elderly, and sick — he insisted: “If we truly want to honor their memory, we must stop the wars and put all of our efforts into negotiations.”
Concluding, he wished a blessed Sunday to all.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican.va
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