Before leading the faithful in the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV offered a heartfelt address from St. Peter’s Square, centered on the dignity of migrants, the pain of those who suffer from war and disaster, and the Church’s missionary spirit. Speaking to pilgrims who had gathered despite the rain for the Jubilee celebration dedicated to missionaries and migrants, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude for their perseverance, calling their presence itself a witness to faith in action.
He reminded those gathered that the Church is, by her very nature, missionary. Every baptized person, he said, is part of one great people journeying toward the Kingdom of God. The example of missionaries and migrants reveals this truth vividly: the Church is not static or confined but always moving outward in love and service. Yet, the Pope warned, no one should ever be forced to flee from their homeland or be exploited because of need. Every circumstance, whether of migration or mission, must begin with respect for the human person, created in the image of God.
The Holy Father greeted pilgrims from various dioceses, including a group from Pavia and several young people from Bethlehem who had brought a statue of Our Lady of Revelation. Their presence, he noted, was a reminder of the universality of the Church and the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin, who accompanies her children on every journey.
Pope Leo also turned his thoughts to those enduring hardship and loss. He expressed deep closeness to the people of the Philippines after the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu and surrounding provinces earlier in the week. He prayed for those who had lost their homes or loved ones, urging all to remain united in faith and to trust in the intercession of the Blessed Mother in moments of danger.
The Pope went on to address the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world, particularly following the recent attack in Manchester. He condemned such hatred as a grave sin against humanity and reiterated his sorrow for the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Turning to recent developments in the Middle East, he acknowledged signs of progress in peace negotiations and encouraged all leaders to persevere in dialogue, seeking an end to violence, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a just and lasting peace.
Before inviting the faithful to pray the Angelus, Pope Leo joined his heart to those gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, where the traditional Supplication was being offered. He reminded the Church that the month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, a prayer that draws believers into deeper contemplation of the mysteries of Christ. As he spoke of the children around the world praying the Rosary for peace, his tone was one of fatherly gratitude and hope.
The Holy Father concluded his remarks by encouraging every Christian to let prayer bear fruit in action. True devotion to Mary, he said, leads us to imitate her compassion and courage in daily life. In that spirit of faith and solidarity, the crowd then joined Pope Leo in praying the Angelus, uniting their voices for peace and the dignity of all God’s children.