By honoring the martyrs and celebrating his milestone birthday in an ecumenical spirit, the Pope reaffirmed the transformative power of the Gospel
Newsroom (15/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV marked his 70th birthday on Sunday evening with a modest celebration following the Commemoration of the Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith of the 21st Century at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. The event, which brought together representatives from various Christian denominations, underscored the Pope’s commitment to ecumenism and the enduring power of faith in the face of persecution.
A Solemn Commemoration
The Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls served as the backdrop for the ecumenical commemoration, where Pope Leo XIV joined leaders from Orthodox Churches, Ancient Eastern Churches, Christian communities, and ecumenical organizations to honor modern martyrs. The liturgy, centered on the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel, featured prayers read by representatives of diverse Christian traditions, highlighting their shared witness to faith.
In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on September 14, noting its transformation from a symbol of suffering to one of salvation. “The cross is the hope of Christians and the glory of martyrs,” he said, citing Pope John Paul II’s Ut Unum Sint to emphasize that martyrdom represents “the truest communion possible with Christ who shed his Blood.”
The Pope spoke of the persistent hatred permeating modern life, yet praised the “servants of the Gospel and martyrs of the faith” who demonstrate that “love is stronger than death.” He highlighted figures like Sister Dorothy Stang, who, when confronted by attackers in the Amazon, presented her Bible as her only weapon; Fr. Ragheed Ganni, a Chaldean priest from Mosul who died for his refusal to abandon Christian values; and Brother Francis Tofi, an Anglican from the Melanesian Brotherhood who gave his life for peace in the Solomon Islands.
“Even today, our brothers and sisters carry the cross in hostile contexts,” Pope Leo said, noting that persecution of Christians has intensified in some regions. He urged the faithful to draw inspiration from these martyrs, whose hope, rooted in the Gospel, remains “unarmed” yet unconquerable. Quoting the Book of Wisdom, he added, “Their hope is full of immortality.”
A Call to Remember
The Pope stressed the importance of preserving the memory of martyrs across Christian traditions, a task undertaken by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. “We cannot and do not want to forget,” he declared, emphasizing the “ecumenism of blood” that unites Christians through shared sacrifice. He recalled the words of a Pakistani child, Abish Masih, killed in an attack on a Catholic church, who wrote, “Making the world a better place.” Pope Leo urged the faithful to let Abish’s dream inspire acts of courage and compassion.
A Joyful Birthday Celebration
Following the commemoration, cardinals and faith leaders surprised Pope Leo with a simple gathering and a birthday cake. Thanking Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, the Pope noted the significance of his birthday coinciding with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. “From the beginning of my vocation, I have always answered, ‘Not my will, but yours, Lord,’” he said, reflecting on his lifelong commitment to faith.
In a statement from the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo expressed hope that the Jubilee Year of Hope would inspire renewed zeal for proclaiming the Gospel. He described the ecumenical nature of the celebration as a testament to “unity, charity, and hope.” After a brief toast and the cutting of the cake, the gathering joined in singing “Happy Birthday.” The Pope then paused to greet the crowd outside the Basilica before returning to the Vatican.
A Message of Hope
The evening’s events encapsulated Pope Leo XIV’s vision for a Church united in faith and action. By honoring the martyrs and celebrating his milestone birthday in an ecumenical spirit, the Pope reaffirmed the transformative power of the Gospel. As the Jubilee Year continues, his call to remember and emulate these witnesses of faith resonates as a beacon of hope in a fractured world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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