This past Sunday, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Angelus and catechesis from Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence nestled among the Alban Hills. The quiet town, celebrated as one of “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” (“the most beautiful villages of Italy”), held a deeper meaning as it played host to the Holy Father’s latest reflections and liturgical celebrations.

Following the Angelus, Pope Leo offered a brief but poignant catechesis centered on what is required to receive the gift of eternal life. At its core, the pope said, the answer is simple: we must do the will of God. But he went further to specify what that entails. Drawing from Scripture, Pope Leo reminded the faithful that we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments, he emphasized, are the heart of Christian discipleship. In living them out, we are not simply checking off religious obligations. We are responding to the love of the Father by choosing to align ourselves with His divine will.

The pope also clarified that eternal life is not a prize to be won by negotiation, nor a treasure to be seized through ambition or desperation. Rather, it is an inheritance—a gift that flows from a relationship with God, our Father. Like any true inheritance, it is freely given, passed down not by merit but by love.

This catechesis came just after Pope Leo had celebrated Mass in the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, a humble yet beautiful site in Castel Gandolfo. The church is named after the great Augustinian friar known for his charity and simplicity, both virtues Pope Leo himself continues to embody. His presence there further anchored the themes of humility and faithfulness in this Holy Year.

While staying in the countryside residence, Pope Leo also took time for other pastoral encounters. He celebrated a special Mass for the military police of both Italy and the Vatican at their local station chapel. His presence there was not merely ceremonial but an intentional gesture of gratitude and encouragement to those who serve and protect.

Additionally, Pope Leo made a private visit to the monastery of the Poor Clares in nearby Albano. These cloistered religious sisters are charged with an especially tender mission: praying for the Holy Father, for the Church, and for the Vatican. The pope’s visit was a gesture of appreciation for their hidden but powerful ministry of intercession.

With these actions—whether offering Mass, catechesis, or simply visiting those who quietly serve—Pope Leo XIV continues to model a vision of the Church rooted in humility, love, and communion. Even in the quiet hills of Castel Gandolfo, far from the bustling crowds of Rome, the Gospel is being proclaimed with clarity and conviction.