Leo XIV tells Chinese Catholics to be ‘joyful witnesses’ and promoters of ‘peace and harmony’
In his first Regina Caeli, from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV cited the Day of Prayer for the Church in China celebrated yesterday and the tenth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical Laudato Si', noting Pope Francis's appeal "to listen to the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor." This afternoon, the new pope will be installed in St John Lateran as the bishop of Rome.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV today addressed the Church of China at the end of the first Regina Caeli of his pontificate recited from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter's Square.
“May the intercession of Mary Most Holy obtain for them, and for us, the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, so that we may always promote peace and harmony,” the pontiff said to mark the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, established in 2007 by Benedict XVI.
Celebrated yesterday, the feast day of Mary Help of Christians is particularly venerated at the Marian shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.
“In churches and shrines throughout China and around the world, prayers were offered to God as a sign of concern and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal Church,” the pope said.
Looking at the “joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials,” the pontiff urged the faithful today to embrace with prayer all the peoples in the world who suffer because of war. “Let us implore courage and perseverance for those engaged in dialogue and in the sincere search for peace,” he pleaded.
Leo XIV also cited the tenth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si', the encyclical Pope Francis dedicated to the care of creation as the common home of all. This document “has had an extraordinary impact, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching everyone to listen to the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor.” The pope went on to encourage the Laudato Si’ movement and “all those who carry on this commitment.”
Before the Regina Caeli, which he sang in a powerful voice, the Holy Father thanked the faithful for “your demonstration of affection” during the first days of his ministry as successor of Peter, urging them once more to “keep supporting me with your prayers and closeness.”
“In whatever the Lord calls us to do, in both our daily lives and our journey of faith, there are times when we feel inadequate. Yet this Sunday’s Gospel (cf. Jn 14:23-29) tells us not to rely on our own abilities but on the mercy of the Lord who has chosen us, and to be certain that the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us all things.”
“This dwelling of God within us, brothers and sisters, is precisely the gift of the Holy Spirit, who takes us by the hand and enables us to experience God’s presence and closeness amid our daily lives, for he makes us his home.
“It is wonderful to think that, when we consider our individual calling, the situations we encounter and the people entrusted to our care, our commitments and responsibilities, and our service in the Church, each of us can say with confidence: Despite my weakness, the Lord is not ashamed of my humanity. Instead, he comes to dwell within me. He accompanies me with his Spirit; he enlightens me and makes me an instrument of his love for others, for society and for the world.”
Finally, “on the basis of that promise, let us walk in the joy born of faith, in order to become a holy temple of the Lord. Let us resolve to bring his love everywhere, never forgetting that each of our sisters and brothers is a dwelling place of God and that his presence is manifested above all in the little ones, in the poor and the suffering, who ask us to be thoughtful and compassionate Christians.”
This afternoon, after receiving the homage of city authorities in front of the Capitoline Hill, the pope will solemnly take possession of the chair of the bishop of Rome, in St John Lateran basilica, where he will lead a solemn Eucharistic celebration. At the end of the service, he will go to the nearby Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis is buried, to venerate the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani.
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