VATICAN CITY. Pope Leo XIV condemned the growing trend of nationalist political movements worldwide, calling for reconciliation and dialogue in a Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, aligning his message with his vow to make the Catholic Church a beacon of peace.
Leading the service before tens of thousands of faithful, Pope Leo asked the Holy Spirit to “break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred.”
“Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms,” said Pope Leo, the first American pope, without naming any country or politician.
Pope Leo echoed the words of the late Pope Francis, who in May 2023 said, “We are all connected, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anaesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude.”
The pope also condemned wars, describing them as “plaguing our world,” and prayed for “the gift of peace,” which he hoped would start in people’s hearts and extend to families, societies, and international relations.
“First of all, peace in our hearts, for only a peaceful heart can spread peace in the family, society and international relations,” he said.Pope Leo’s appeal for peace and dialogue has been a constant theme since he was elected pontiff. His first message, “Peace be with you all,” underscored his mission of unity.
He has also called for a “genuine and just peace” in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Edgaroo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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