The Pontiff emphasized that justice, while indispensable for societal order, must transcend mere legalism to embrace the deeper call of human dignity and the common good.
Newsroom (20/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a stirring address to Church and civil legal professionals during the Jubilee of Justice, Pope Leo XIV delivered a profound reflection on the role of justice in society, urging those entrusted with its administration to exercise it with wisdom, love, and mercy. Speaking to a vast gathering of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff emphasized that justice, while indispensable for societal order, must transcend mere legalism to embrace the deeper call of human dignity and the common good.
“Justice is indispensable, both for the orderly development of society and as a cardinal virtue that inspires and guides the conscience of every man and woman,” Pope Leo declared. Quoting the biblical call to “love justice and avoid evil,” he noted that the traditional understanding of justice—rendering to each their due—falls short of addressing the profound human longing for a higher moral order.
A Virtue Rooted in Faith and Reason
The Pope described justice as a virtue that unites “the dignity of the person, his or her relationship with others, and the communal dimension of coexistence, with its structures and shared rules.” He defined it as “the constant and firm will to render to God and our neighbor what is their due,” rooted in both reason and faith. Justice, he explained, fosters respect for individual rights while promoting harmony to preserve the common good.
Yet, Pope Leo XIV called for a “higher justice” inspired by the Gospel, one that integrates mercy as its interpretive key. “The power of forgiveness,” he said, “is intrinsic to the commandment of love, emerging as a constitutive element of a justice capable of uniting the supernatural with the human.” This evangelical justice, he argued, does not negate human justice but reshapes it, challenging legal systems to move toward reconciliation and restoration.
Repairing Evil, Not Just Punishing It
Acknowledging the complexity of this task, the Pope stressed that justice involves not only punishing evil but repairing its consequences. “This is a demanding task, but not impossible for those who commit themselves to an irreproachable way of life,” he said. He decried the “growing discriminations” that deny access to justice, asserting that true equality goes beyond formal legal protections. It requires ensuring that all individuals can fulfill their aspirations and see their inherent dignity upheld by shared values.
A Global Call for Justice
In a poignant moment, Pope Leo extended his reflection to the international stage, highlighting the plight of nations and peoples who “hunger and thirst for justice” due to inequitable and inhumane conditions. Quoting St. Augustine, he stated, “Without justice, the State cannot be governed; it is impossible for there to be law in a State where there is no true justice.” He emphasized that justice must render to both humanity and God what is their due, warning that any system diverting people from God lacks true justice.
A Vision for Justice in Service of Humanity
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV urged all to embody justice in service to others, with their “eyes fixed on God.” He invoked St. Augustine’s words to inspire a commitment to justice that fully expresses the dignity of persons and upholds their rights. His message resonated as a call to action for legal professionals, civil authorities, and believers alike to pursue a justice animated by wisdom, love, and mercy—one that seeks not only to judge but to heal and reconcile.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
