Vatican City (AsiaNews) – This morning, after the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the tragedy of war, which transcends the borders of the countries in conflict.
In his address, he said that, “The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by the war” in “tormented Ukraine”, an expression repeatedly used by his predecessor, a country victim of a conflict that has repercussions, “especially in the poorest countries, where so many people depend on grain imports.” For this reason, Leo urged the parties to guarantee “safe transport" in the Black Sea.
Pope to undergo lung surgery next week
Following the Marian prayer, the pontiff shared an update on his health before the thousands of faithful. “[D]uring some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” he said.
“The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”
According to Vatican media, the procedure is set to take place at the Gemelli Policlinic in Rome. Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told the media that "the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week” and that “the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week.”
Greetings
Following the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV mentioned the Day for Victims of Workplace Accidents, observed today in Italy. "I offer my greetings and encourage efforts toward prevention," he said.
He also cited the beatification held yesterday in Mantua (Italy) of Sister Maria Ignazia Isacchi, founder of the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“[S]he devoted herself with courageous charity to the needy and the disadvantaged,” he said. May her example rekindle in all of us the desire to be witnesses in the world of the love of the Gospel toward everyone”.
Commentary on the Gospel
Before reciting the Marian prayer, Leo XIV spoke about today’s Gospel (Mt 22:1–14), in which Jesus addresses the chief priests and the Pharisees using the parable “of the wedding feast prepared by a king for his son.”
“When something good happens, it kindles a light that leads us to share our happiness with others,” Leo explained. However, in the parable, “instead of coming to the feast, the guests turn away and prefer to continue going about their business.”
To this, Leo said that, “the good we offer to do is not always understood, recognized or appreciated. Indeed, at times, it is willfully misinterpreted and rejected. Yet this must not discourage us.”
The king is the first, in fact, not to cancel the wedding and instead issued more the invitations.
For the pontiff, “we can ask ourselves whom the main characters in this story represent. [. . .] The wedding feast is ours, and the banquet hall is our churches and homes, the places where we live and where the King’s Son, Jesus Christ, continues to declare his love for us and await our ‘yes’”
“The joy we proclaim, therefore, is not artificial; it is profound, concrete and real. It is as beautiful as the faces of the people we meet. It is as genuine as the work, the smiles, the tears, the handshakes, and the acts of kindness that fill our days. It is a gift of God for the salvation of the world.”
