Pope Leo XIV ordains eleven new priests for the Diocese of Rome, emphasizing unity with Christ and the importance of credible, transparent priestly lives.
Newsroom, June 2, 2025, Gaudium Press- On Saturday, May 31, Pope Leo XIV ordained eleven deacons as priests for the Diocese of Rome during a solemn ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica. In his homily, the Holy Father emphasized that a priest’s identity is rooted in union with Christ, the Supreme and Eternal Priest.
“Today is a day of great joy for the Church and for each of you receiving priestly ordination—along with your families, friends, and companions throughout your years of formation,” Pope Leo XIV began. Over 5,500 faithful gathered in the basilica to share in this joy. Highlighting the connection between God’s people and the priest, the Pope reminded that “the identity of the priest depends on union with Christ, the Supreme and Eternal Priest.”
Addressing the eleven young men, aged between 28 and 49, the Bishop of Rome described God’s action, which never tires of gathering His children, as a “gentle breeze.” “God’s joy is not noisy, but it truly changes history and brings us closer together,” he continued, citing the Gospel episode of the Visitation—the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth—celebrated by the Church on this last day of May.
Live Your Life in the Manner of Jesus
Referring to the Gospel of John, sung just minutes before the homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the bonds between Jesus and the world, which Christ entrusts into the Father’s hands and which are strengthened through prayer.
“Dear ordinands, imagine yourselves, then, in the style of Jesus! Being of God—servants of God, people of God—connects us to the earth: not to an ideal world, but to the real one. Like Jesus, the people the Father places in your path are of flesh and blood. Devote yourselves to them, without separating, without isolating, without turning the gift received into a kind of privilege. Pope Francis has warned us many times against this, because self-referentiality extinguishes the fire of the missionary spirit.”
Laying on of Hands, Transmission of the Creative Spirit
During the celebration, the Pope, followed by several priests, laid hands upon the seven students from the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary and the four trained at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. This gesture, by which “Jesus welcomed children and healed the sick,” is the sign of the transmission of the creative Spirit. “The Kingdom of God now brings into communion your personal freedoms, ready to go beyond themselves, uniting your intellects and youthful strengths to the jubilee mission that Jesus entrusted to His Church,” Pope Leo XIV continued.
Citing the words of Saint Paul, the Pope reminded the role of priests as “guardians,” not as “masters,” following Jesus. “None of us is called to replace Him. The day of the Ascension teaches us His invisible presence. He trusts us; He gives us space,” he emphasized. Just as priests welcome their newly ordained brothers, Pope Leo XIV asked the young priests to make room “for the faithful and all creatures.” “The people of God are more numerous than we see. Let’s not define their limits.”
Transparency of Life and Credibility
Finally, always based on Saint Paul’s words, “You know how I lived” (Acts 20:18), the Supreme Pontiff demanded “credible testimony” from priests through the transparency of their lives. “Known lives, readable lives, credible lives!” he exhorted.
“Together, then, we will rebuild the credibility of a wounded Church, sent to a wounded humanity, within a wounded creation. We are not yet perfect, but we must be credible.”
“So, the lives of these brothers who will soon be ordained priests are of profound importance. We thank them and thank God who called them to serve the entire priestly people. For together we link heaven and earth. In Mary, Mother of the Church, this common priesthood shines, which exalts the humble, unites generations, and makes us blessed,” said Pope Leo XIV, referring to Mary’s hymn in the Magnificat.
Compiled by Adele Wong
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