Ashley Noronha joined John Morales on Morning Air to reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s May 6, 2026, general audience, where the Holy Father continued his catechesis on Lumen gentium and the Church as “pilgrim in history towards the heavenly homeland.”

Pope Leo turned to Chapter VII of Lumen gentium, emphasizing what theologians call the eschatological dimension of Christianity. In simpler terms, the Church is always moving toward her final fulfillment in heaven. She is not an end in herself, but a holy instrument established by Christ to lead souls toward union with God.

This vision guards the Church against triumphalism. The Kingdom proclaimed by Christ is one of justice, truth, peace, and love, and the Church serves the coming of that Kingdom in history. She does not replace the Kingdom, nor does she possess its fullness on earth. Rather, she points beyond herself to the glory God has promised.

That is why Lumen gentium calls the Church the universal sacrament of salvation, a sign and instrument of God’s saving work, which will only be fully revealed at the end of time. This teaching calls for humility from every Catholic institution and from every believer. The Church must continually be purified, and each of us must be converted more deeply to Christ.

Noronha noted that this pilgrimage is not aimless. Through baptism, we are united to Christ and made members of His Body. That unity is seen most clearly in the sacred liturgy, where the Church on earth joins the worship of heaven, prays for the faithful departed, and seeks the intercession of the saints.

For the faithful, Pope Leo’s message is a reminder of hope and responsibility. We are pilgrims, but we are not lost. We walk together toward the heavenly homeland, strengthened by the sacraments, guided by the Church, and called to bear witness to the Kingdom already begun in Christ.