Pope Leo XIV celebrates an ordination Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, and urges priests to welcome God’s grace so they might remain close to the people they serve as credible witnesses.
Newsroom (May 31, 2025, 06:45, Gaudium Press) In a solemn ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV ordained a new group of priests, calling them to embrace their mission with humility, transparency, and deep union with Christ. Before a congregation of 55,000 faithful, the Pope emphasized that priestly identity is not about privilege but self-giving—a call to serve “a wounded Church, sent to a wounded humanity, within a wounded creation.”
“A Priest’s Identity is Rooted in Christ”
In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the sacred duty of the priesthood, describing it as a divine gift that binds heaven and earth.
“A priest’s identity is rooted in union with Christ, the eternal and high priest,” he said. “God has never abandoned His people, and through priestly ordination, He remains with us like a gentle breeze—restoring hope and unity.”
Pope Leo reminded the new priests that their ministry must mirror Jesus’ own life—one of closeness to the suffering and the marginalized.
“Consecrate yourselves to the people you serve—without separating, isolating, or turning the gift you’ve received into a privilege,” he urged, echoing Pope Francis’ warnings against clerical self-centeredness. “The fire of missionary spirit is extinguished when we focus on ourselves rather than Christ’s flock.”
“A Life That is Transparent, Visible, Credible”
Drawing from St. Paul’s ministry, the Pope stressed that priests are called to be “stewards, not overlords,” since the mission belongs to Christ alone.
“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,” he quoted from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “Ours should be a life that is transparent, visible, credible! We live among the people of God so that we may stand before them with a credible witness.”
He challenged the new priests to embrace a spirituality of encounter, making room “for the faithful and for every creature in whom the Risen One draws near and loves to surprise us.”
A Church for the Wounded
Pope Leo XIV framed the priesthood within the broader mission of the Church—one marked by Christ’s wounds, which are both a sign of humanity’s sin and God’s boundless mercy.
“We are sent to a wounded world,” he said. “Christ’s love is a love that frees and enables us not to possess anyone—to liberate, not to control.”
He concluded by invoking Mary, Mother of the Church, as the model of perfect discipleship, uniting generations and lifting up the lowly.
“Together, we unite heaven and earth,” he said. “In her, this common priesthood shines—allowing us to be called blessed.”
As the new priests begin their ministries, they carry with them the Pope’s final exhortation: to be men of prayer, humility, and radical availability—so that through them, the Risen Christ may continue to surprise a world in need of hope.
_ Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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