Leo XIV tells catechists to ‘become little ones’ to ‘perceive and serve God’s dreams’
After the Angelus, the pope expressed his closeness to the communities affected by Typhoon Ragasa offering his “prayers for the victims, the missing, [and] the many displaced families”. In his homily at the Mass for the Jubilee of Catechists, he lamented that, “At the doorstep of today’s opulence stands the misery of entire peoples, ravaged by war”. Some 39 new catechists were commissioned, some from India, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the peoples of Asia – particularly those of the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Chinese province of Guangdong, and Vietnam – who were recently hit by Typhoon Ragasa, the most violent tropical cyclone recorded in the world in 2025.
“I assure the affected populations, especially the poorest, of my closeness and of my prayers for the victims, the missing, the many displaced families, the countless people who have suffered hardship, as well as the rescue workers and civil authorities,” the pontiff said in St Peter’s Square after the Angelus.
“I invite everyone to put their trust in God and to show solidarity with others. May the Lord give strength and courage to overcome every adversity,” he added, noting the “very powerful typhoon” that “struck several Asian territories”.
At the end of the Mass dedicated to the Jubilee of Catechists, attended by approximately 50,000 faithful from 115 countries, including a large contingent from the Philippines and India, Leo appointed 39 new catechists, including some from India, South Korea, East Timor, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines.
This was followed by the announcement that British theologian John Henry Newman (1801-1899) will be conferred the title of Doctor of the Church on 1 November.
After the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Leo XIV greeted the people taking part in the Jubilee event dedicated to catechesis. “Warm wishes for good service to the catechists of the entire Church throughout the world. Thank you for your service to the Church!” he said.
Yesterday morning, during the Jubilee audience, he stated, “May the Jubilee help us to become little ones according to the Gospel, so as to perceive and serve God’s dreams!”
After citing the event that led Saint Ambrose, then a simple catechumen, to become bishop of Milan, acclaimed by the people, he added: "Even today, this is a grace to ask for: to become Christians while living the call received! Are you a mother, a father? Become a Christian like your mother and father. Are you an entrepreneur, a worker, a teacher, a priest, a nun? Become a Christian on your path."
This morning, in his homily at Mass in St Peter's Square, the pontiff commented on the day's Gospel (Lk 16:19-31), which tells of a rich man who feasted every day, ignoring the poor Lazarus; after his death, he ends up tormented, while Lazarus is consoled beside Abraham.
For the pontiff, “the Lord looks into the hearts of people, and through his eyes, we can also recognize one who is in need and one who is indifferent.” Indeed, while “Lazarus is forgotten [. . .] God is close to him and remembers his name,” while the rich man “is lost in the thoughts of his heart: full of things and empty of love.”
Such a “story that Christ tells us is, unfortunately, very relevant today. At the doorstep of today’s opulence stands the misery of entire peoples, ravaged by war and exploitation.”
“[H]ow many Lazaruses die before the greed that forgets justice, before profits that trample on charity, and before riches that are blind to the pain of the poor! Yet the Gospel assures us that Lazarus’ sufferings will come to an end.”
Leo went on to tell the new catechists “that the catechist is a person of the word – a word that he or she pronounces with his or her own life. Thus, our first catechists are our parents: those who first spoke to us and taught us to speak”.
In fact, “We have all been taught to believe through the witness of those who believed before us.” And the catechism represents a “travel guidebook” that “protects us from individualism and discord,” asserting the faith of the entire Catholic Church.
“Every believer cooperates in her pastoral work by listening to questions, sharing in struggles, and serving the desire for justice and truth that dwells in the human conscience,” Leo added. “When we teach the faith, we do not merely give instructions, but we place the word of life in hearts, so that it may bear the fruits of a good life.”
The pontiff cited Saint Augustine, who addressed an invitation to the deacon Deogratias: “Explain everything in such a way that the one who listens to you, by listening may believe; by believing may hope; and by hoping may love” (Instructing Beginners in Faith, 4, 8).
Finally, “When we too are tempted by greed and indifference, the many ‘Lazaruses’ of today remind us of Jesus’ words. They serve as an effective catechesis for us, especially during this Jubilee, which is for all a time of conversion and forgiveness, of commitment to justice, and of sincere search for peace,” the pope said.
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