Pope Leo XIV affirms holiness as a universal vocation, deepening his catechesis on Lumen Gentium at the Vatican’s weekly General Audience.
Newsroom (08/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) At the Vatican’s weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that holiness “is not a privilege for the few, but a gift that commits every baptized person to strive for the perfection of charity.” Continuing his catechesis series on the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, the Pope emphasized that this call to holiness is universal, grounded in love for God and neighbor, and realized in the everyday lives of believers.
The Pope addressed pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning, elaborating on Chapter Five of Lumen Gentium, which teaches that all the faithful are invited to live in God’s grace, practice the virtues, and imitate Christ. “Charity,” he said, “is the heart of the holiness to which all believers are called, infused by the Father through the Son Jesus.” This virtue, he explained, governs every means by which holiness is pursued and gives life to them, echoing the Council’s words in paragraph 42 of the Constitution.
Charity and Witness
Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the ultimate expression of holiness—martyrdom—which Lumen Gentium describes as “the supreme witness of faith and charity.” He reminded the faithful that the readiness to bear witness to Christ, even unto blood, remains central to Christian identity and continues today in countless acts of justice and love lived out in society. “Holiness,” he said, “appears every time believers leave signs of faith and love in the world.”
All the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, nourish this holiness, drawing every person into deeper communion with Christ. The Pope recalled St. Paul VI’s 1965 reminder that to be authentic, the Church requires all her baptized members to be “truly worthy, strong and faithful children.” This transformation, Pope Leo noted, conforms each life to Christ through the Spirit, reflecting St. Paul’s vision in Romans 8:29.
The Church’s Pilgrimage Toward Holiness
Reflecting on the nature of the Church herself, Pope Leo pointed to Lumen Gentium’s teaching that she is “indefectibly holy.” This holiness is not yet perfect, he said, but a gift to be confirmed through the Church’s pilgrimage “amid the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God,” echoing St. Augustine’s words from The City of God. Acknowledging the persistent reality of human sin within the Church, the Pope called for serious personal renewal: “The sad reality of sin invites each person to entrust themselves to the Lord, who renews us in charity.”
Holiness, he stressed, cannot be reduced to an ethical effort or moral program. It touches the essence of Christian life—both personal and communal—and transforms believers from within. “It is not a reward for perfection,” he said, “but a path toward it, sustained by grace.”
Consecrated Life as Prophetic Sign
Turning to Chapter Six of Lumen Gentium, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the consecrated life as a vital expression of holiness within the Church. He called the evangelical counsels—poverty, chastity, and obedience—“liberating gifts of the Holy Spirit” rather than restrictions.
“Poverty,” he explained, “frees the heart from calculation and self-interest, expressing full trust in Providence.” Obedience reflects Christ’s self-offering to the Father, freeing one from domination and suspicion, while chastity embodies a pure heart wholly dedicated to love of God and service to the Church. These virtues, he said, shape a prophetic witness to the Kingdom of God already present in history.
By living this radical discipleship, consecrated men and women make visible the universal call to holiness. Their lives mirror Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, showing that “no human experience is beyond God’s redemption.” Even suffering, Pope Leo affirmed, when united to the passion of the Lord, becomes a path to sanctity and hope.
A Journey Sustained by Grace and Mary’s Protection
The Pope concluded his catechesis by invoking the aid of the Virgin Mary, “the all-holy Mother of the Incarnate Word,” to sustain and protect all who seek the path of holiness. Holiness, he reminded his listeners, is not a distant ideal but a living encounter with God, “who became man out of love.”
Greetings to English-Speaking Pilgrims
Pope Leo XIV extended a special greeting to English-speaking pilgrims and visitors from England, Ireland, Nigeria, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the United States. “In the joy of the risen Christ,” he said, “I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all and may His peace be with you.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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