Pope Leo XIV joined more than one hundred vulnerable individuals supported by Caritas Albano for a communal lunch.
Newsroom (18/08/2025, Gaudium Press) In a heartfelt gathering at the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas, Pope Leo XIV joined more than one hundred vulnerable individuals supported by Caritas Albano for a communal lunch, underscoring the profound truth that every person is made in the image of God. Speaking extemporaneously beneath a large gazebo set up for the occasion, the Pope invited reflection on the divine dignity inherent in each individual.
“The most beautiful of all creation is that which was made in God’s image—that is, each one of us,” Pope Leo said, addressing the diverse group of guests, which included residents of shelters, group homes, the homeless, and those aided by diocesan listening centers. “We can encounter God’s presence in every individual.”
The lunch, organized by the Borgo Laudato Si’ and the Diocese of Albano Laziale, was more than a meal—it was an act of communion and fraternity. Amid the natural splendor of the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo, the event embodied the Pope’s call for unity and shared humanity.
Breaking Bread as a Sacred Act
Gazing across the tables, Pope Leo spoke of the deeper significance of sharing a meal. “Breaking bread together is a gesture that for us all is deeply significant: the act through which we recognize Jesus Christ present among us,” he said. “It is the Holy Mass—but it is also all of us gathered around the table, sharing the gifts the Lord has given us.”
Before the meal began, the Pope offered a blessing for the food, the hands that prepared it, and those who made the gathering possible. He concluded with a prayer: “Help us, Lord, to always live united in Your love.”
Cardinal Baggio: A Gospel Vision in Action
Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Director General of the Laudato Si’ Center for Advanced Formation and Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, framed the event as the realization of Pope Francis’ vision. “The Borgo Laudato Si’ is not merely a place, but a way of living the Gospel that first and foremost opens its doors to those in need—to the poor, to the excluded,” he said.
He emphasized that true Gospel hospitality begins with the marginalized, noting, “There can be no authentic ecology without social justice. This is the great teaching of Laudato Si’ and of the Church’s Social Doctrine. Christian charity fulfills and surpasses justice, transforming it into tangible love.”
Bishop Viva: The Gospel Made Visible
Bishop Vincenzo Viva of Albano welcomed the Pope and guests, highlighting the event’s significance. “In the faces of those seated at these tables today, we see the beauty of the Gospel made concrete—living testimony of who we are as the Church of Albano,” he said.
He rejected divisions between “us” and “them,” stating, “There are only people sharing bread—and with it, their stories, their struggles, and their hopes.”
The lunch at the Pontifical Villas served not only as a moment of fellowship but as a powerful reminder of the Church’s mission to recognize and uplift the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable.
- Raju Hamsukh with files from Vatican News
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