Leo XIV in the Lateran Basilica, the Mother Church of ‘Christians throughout the world'
This morning Pope Leo XVI described Rome’s cathedral, as a “living Church" with "Jesus, the cornerstone”. The National Catholic Register is reporting that the first extraordinary consistory has been convened for January. At the Angelus, the pontiff expressed his closeness to the Philippines, hit by Typhoon Fung-wo. He also lamented the loss of “civilians, children, the elderly, or sick people" killed in wars. To end them, it is time to “put all of our efforts into negotiations.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – This morning Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome, for the solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, celebrated today, 9 November.
On this day, “we contemplate the mystery of unity and communion with the Church of Rome, called to be the mother who cares for the journey of faith of Christians throughout the world,” the pontiff said before reciting the Angelus in St Peter's.
Today, the US National Catholic Register reported that Leo XIV convened an extraordinary consistory, the first of his pontificate. The US newspaper cites a note sent to several cardinals three days ago, on 6 November.
The meeting of the College of Cardinals, which elected Robert Prevost as the 267th pope in the Sistine Chapel six months ago, will be held next year, from 7 to 8 January 2026. The college is normally convened to discuss "particular needs of the Church”.
The official announcement from the Holy See Press Office is pending. Pope Francis convened the last two extraordinary consistories in February 2014 and August 2022.
This morning, after Holy Mass in the Lateran Basilica, Pope Leo XIV appeared from the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus, before approximately 35,000 faithful.
In his address, he expressed his “closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been hit by a violent typhoon”.
The Southeast Asian country is currently facing Typhoon Fung-won, a massive tropical cyclone, the second in a month, with more than 200 deaths so far and over a million people evacuated. Schools and offices expected are expected to remain closed tomorrow on the island of Luzon, including Manila.
"I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and the displaced," Leo said.
After the Marian prayer, the pope mentioned Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated today in Italy.
Like the bishops in their message for the occasion, the pontiff encouraged “responsible care for the land, combating food waste, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.” He also thanked “all those who, at every level, are committed to building peace in the various regions affected by war.
A few days ago, “we have prayed for the dead and among these, unfortunately, are many who were killed in combat and bombings, even though they were civilians, children, elderly, or sick people,” Leo said after the Angelus. “If we truly want to honor their memory, we must stop the wars and put all of our efforts into negotiations.
In his homily in Rome’s cathedral, Leo XIV noted that the solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica refers to the act of Pope Sylvester I in the 4th century, after its construction by order of Constantine.
Why commemorate such events today? “Certainly to recall [. . .] but this is not the only reason,” the pope said. In fact, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran “is much more than a monument or a historical memorial. It is ‘a sign of the living Church, built with chosen and precious stones in Christ Jesus, the cornerstone’,” he explained.
“[A]s we gaze upon this building, let us reflect on what it means to be Church,” he said, starting with its “foundations.”
“This is a cause for reflection. As laborers in the living Church, we too must first dig deep within ourselves and around ourselves before we can build impressive structures. We must remove any unstable material that would prevent us from reaching the solid rock of Christ,” Leo said.
“The millennial history of the Church teaches us that with God’s help, a true community of faith can only be built with humility and patience.”
Speaking of the image of the “construction site”, often associated with the ecclesial journey, he noted: “It captures the concrete, tangible efforts of our communities as they grow every day, sharing their charisms under the guidance of their pastors.”
The pontiff also stressed the "critical moments" that have frequently punctuated the history of the cathedral of the diocese of Rome.
“In Rome, a great good is growing thanks to the efforts of many,” he said. “After all, it is through charity in action that the face of our Church is shaped, making it ever clearer to all that she is a ‘mother’, the ‘mother of all Churches’.”
The last aspect touched upon by the pontiff in his homily was the “liturgy”. In fact, “care for the liturgy, especially here at the See of Peter, must be such that it can serve as an example for the whole people of God,” Leo said.
“Every care should be taken to ensure that the simple beauty of the rites expresses the value of worship for the harmonious growth of the whole Body of the Lord,” he added.
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