Pope Leo XIV urges bishops to embody hope, unity, and Christ’s love, fostering communion and charity in their dioceses during jubilee pilgrimage in Rome.
Newsroom, June 25, 2024, Gaudium Press – In a profound and pastoral address at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV welcomed bishops from around the world during their jubilee pilgrimage, urging them to embody hope, unity, and Christ-like love in their ministry. Speaking to a gathering of shepherds who had journeyed to Rome despite the demands of their roles, the Pope emphasized their shared identity as “sheep of the Lord’s flock” called to renewal through the Holy Door, a symbol of Christ the Savior.
Opening with a warm greeting and a blessing in the name of the Trinity, the Holy Father commended the bishops for their pilgrimage, acknowledging the pressures of their ministry. “Before being shepherds, we are sheep,” he said, inviting them to let Christ, the Good Shepherd, transform their hearts to align with His love and mission.
Quoting St. Paul’s words, “Spes non confundit” (“Hope does not disappoint,” Romans 5:5), a phrase often repeated by Pope Francis and chosen as the motto for the Jubilee Year, Pope Leo XIV challenged bishops to be “first heirs” of this prophetic call. He urged them to proclaim hope through both words and actions, even in seemingly hopeless situations. “When we stand in solidarity with those who suffer, the Holy Spirit can rekindle even a nearly extinguished flame,” he said, referencing the Jubilee Bull Spes non confundit. This witness of hope, he added, shines brightest when bishops anchor their lives in God and dedicate themselves fully to the Church.
The Pope outlined key traits of a bishop’s witness, beginning with their role as the “visible principle of unity” in their dioceses. He called on them to foster communion among all members and with the universal Church, leveraging diverse gifts and ministries to spread the Gospel. This mission, he noted, is sustained by the grace of episcopal ordination, which empowers bishops as teachers of faith, sanctifiers, and spiritual guides committed to the Kingdom of God and the salvation of souls.
Central to his message was the bishop as a “man of theological life,” fully open to the Holy Spirit, who nurtures faith, hope, and charity. Reflecting on Hebrews 11, the Pope highlighted Moses, who “stood firm as if he saw the invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). This portrait of faith, he said, defines a bishop’s role as an intercessor who remains steadfast in trials, guiding their people toward God’s promises. In times of hardship—whether families face overwhelming burdens, youth grapple with disillusionment, or the elderly and disabled feel abandoned—bishops must offer not just words but the tangible presence of a Gospel-centered community.
This faith and hope, the Pope continued, culminate in pastoral charity, which St. Augustine called amoris officium (the duty of love). A bishop’s diverse responsibilities—preaching, visiting communities, listening to priests and deacons, making administrative decisions—are unified by Christ’s love. Drawing daily from the Eucharist and prayer, bishops should model fraternal love toward their coadjutors, emeritus bishops, neighboring bishops, collaborators, and struggling priests. “His heart and home must be open and welcoming,” the Pope said.
Beyond theological virtues, Pope Leo XIV emphasized pastoral prudence, evangelical poverty, celibacy, and human virtues. Prudence, he explained, guides bishops in decision-making and fosters dialogue and synodality, a priority advanced by Pope Francis. Poverty demands a simple, generous lifestyle that resonates with the poor, reflecting Jesus’ mission to “proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). Celibacy, lived with a chaste heart, mirrors the Church’s holiness, while bishops must firmly address scandals and abuses, especially involving minors, in line with current protocols. Human virtues like sincerity, magnanimity, patience, and listening, cultivated through grace, enhance a bishop’s ministry and relationships.
Concluding with gratitude, the Pope invoked the intercession of the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, and St. Paul, praying for graces to strengthen bishops and their communities. He urged them to foster unity in their presbyterates, ensuring every priest experiences their fatherly and fraternal support. “This spirit of communion inspires priests and builds the local Church,” he said. Offering his prayers and blessing, Pope Leo XIV sent the bishops forth to live as witnesses of hope and unity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from vatican.va
Related Images:
