With the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul we honor the pillars of the Roman Catholic Church. According to Scripture and Tradition, they came to Rome, the center of the empire, and were martyred there around the year 66.
We read in the Acts of the Apostles (25: 1-12) that Paul, being a citizen of the empire, asked to plead his cause before the emperor. That’s what brought him to Rome.
On the other hand, St. Peter, according to tradition, was at first the bishop of Antioch in Syria and then went to Rome and became its bishop.
Today, bishops from around the world who were appointed to lead archdioceses are in Rome to celebrate the Solemnity and to receive the pallium, a vestment that symbolizes their new office.
The pallium is made from the wool of sheep that were sheared on January 21, the feast of St. Agnes, and woven into a narrow band that hangs around the shoulders of the pope and other archbishops. Some of the earliest images of Jesus portray Him as the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb on His shoulders. The pallium represents the union that archbishops have with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who sought those who were lost and forsaken.
It also symbolizes the union that archbishops have with the Pope, the archbishop of Rome.
Last year, when Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass and conferred the pallium on newly appointed archbishops, he said: “Dear brothers, this sign of the pastoral responsibility entrusted to you also expresses your communion with the Bishop of Rome, so that in the unity of the Catholic faith, each of you may build up that communion in your local Churches.”
Also, before praying the Angelus with the many people gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the occasion, he said: “I would like to confirm on this solemn feast that my episcopal ministry is at the service of unity, and that the Church of Rome is committed by the blood shed by Saints Peter and Paul to serving in love the communion of all Churches.”
One of the papal titles is “Servant of the Servants of God.” Pope St. Gregory the Great, who served the Church in that role from 590 to 604, was the first to use this title. He did so to highlight the role of the Pope as a servant of unity.
The following are the archbishops from the United States who will receive the pallium from Pope Leo this year: James Checchio of New Orleans, Ronald Hicks of New York, Mark Rivituso of Mobile, James Golka of Denver, and Robert Casey of Cincinnati.
May God bless them and all our shepherds!