Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to reflect on the profound humility of Christ’s Resurrection, emphasizing its transformative presence in everyday life
Newsroom (08/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In his latest catechesis for the Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Jesus Christ our Hope,” Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to reflect on the profound humility of Christ’s Resurrection, emphasizing its transformative presence in everyday life. Speaking to a diverse audience of pilgrims at the Vatican, the Holy Father drew from the Gospel accounts to highlight the subtle, yet powerful, ways the Risen Christ reveals himself.
“The risen Lord does nothing spectacular to impose himself,” Pope Leo XIV remarked, noting that Jesus appeared not with grandeur, but as a humble wayfarer, a stranger, or a passerby in encounters with Mary Magdalene, the disciples of Emmaus, and the fishermen. “He prefers the language of proximity, of normality, of sharing a meal,” the Pope said, underscoring that the Resurrection is not a theatrical display but a “silent transformation” that imbues ordinary human experiences with divine meaning.
The Holy Father emphasized that the Resurrection affirms the eternal value of the human body, relationships, and daily struggles. “Everything can become grace,” he said, citing acts as simple as eating, working, or supporting a friend as opportunities to anticipate God’s Kingdom. He challenged the notion that joy must be free from suffering, drawing on the Emmaus story to illustrate how Christ walks with those burdened by disappointment, patiently revealing that pain is not a denial of God’s promise but a path to understanding His love.
“When they break bread, their eyes are opened,” Pope Leo XIV said, referencing the moment the Emmaus disciples recognized Jesus. “They realize their hearts were already burning.” He urged the faithful to see that beneath life’s disenchantments lies a “living ember” of hope, waiting to be rekindled by Christ’s presence.
The Pope reassured his audience that no wound, sin, or failure is beyond the reach of God’s love. “No night is eternal,” he declared, emphasizing that the Risen Christ accompanies humanity in its darkest moments—be it in fractured relationships, daily struggles, or personal doubts. He encouraged believers to embrace life’s trials with love, allowing them to become places of communion with God and others.
Closing with a call to recognize Christ’s “humble and discreet presence,” Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to return to their lives with hearts “burning with joy,” confident that the Lord walks with them, offering the grace to begin anew at every moment.
Special Greetings to Pilgrims
The Holy Father extended a warm welcome to English-speaking pilgrims from nations including Australia, Denmark, England, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Vietnam, Wales, and the United States. He offered special affection to religious and consecrated persons participating in the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, encouraging them to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of consecration and openness to the Holy Spirit. “God bless you all!” he concluded.
Summary of the Holy Father’s Message
In his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Resurrection’s humble nature, noting that Jesus appeared not in glory but in simplicity, teaching that suffering is a path to redemption. He urged the faithful to recognize Christ’s presence in life’s trials and to embrace them with joy, trusting in His transformative love as they await His glorious return.
- Raju Hasmukh
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