For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
Pope Leo XIV’s Call For Church To Be ‘A Little Leaven’ Of Unity And Love
Our Editorial Director reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to be a leaven of unity and love in the midst of the restlessness and questions of our world. By Andrea Tornielli
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.”
Pope Leo XIV presented himself with those words on Sunday, May 18, at the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry. He is a missionary bishop, grandson of migrants, and the 267th Bishop of Rome.
The simple and profound words of the homily at the Mass represent a guide for his pontificate that speaks to us of an ‘otherness’ and his unique style.
It could be said his words show an otherness, because in our world so marked by wars, hatred, violence, and division, the humble word of the Successor of Peter proclaims the Gospel of love, unity, compassion, fraternity—a God who wants us one family.
His words seek to bear witness to love, dialogue, and understanding, to overcome hatred and war that begin in the human heart, whether one takes up arms against a brother or crucifies him with the arrogance of words that wound like stones.
His is also a unique style, because Pope Leo XIV recalled that the ministry of Peter is to be as servus servorum Dei, or “Servant of the servants of God.”
His is a service of love and a giving one’s life for others, and he recalled that “the Church of Rome presides in charity and its true authority is the charity of Christ.”
“It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power,” he said. Every age is tempted to do just that—through collateralism, structures, protagonism, religious marketing, and strategies.
“Instead, it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did,” said the Pope.
Thus, “Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him.”
On the contrary, he is asked to love more. He “is called serve the faith of his brothers and sisters, and to walk alongside them.”
These words show us a glimpse of the icon of the Good Shepherd that Pope Francis so often proposed.
It is the image of the shepherd who walks before the flock to lead it; among the flock to accompany it, without feeling superior or separate; and also behind the flock, to ensure that none are lost and to gather the last, those most fatigued by the journey.
The missionary Bishop, who today sits on the Chair of Peter, invites us to proclaim the Gospel of love, “not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world.”
The Church is a people of forgiven sinners, ever in need of mercy, who for that very reason should shy away from any superiority complex, as followers of a God who chose the way of weakness and humbled himself by accepting death on the cross to save us.
“We are called to offer God’s love to everyone,” said Pope Leo XIV, to be “a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”
At the inauguration of his pontificate, Pope Leo invites us to cast our gaze far, to go forth to confront the questions, the restlessness, and the challenges of today.
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Cardinal Parolin: Catholic Social Doctrine Can Heal Global Divides
At the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation conference on Friday, the Vatican Secretary of State highlights the crucial role of the Social Doctrine of the Church in addressing today’s crises of global governance and polarisation. By Linda Bordoni
In an address calling for moral clarity and unified action in the face of global division, Cardinal Pietro Parolin told participants at the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation’s international conference on Friday that Catholic Social Doctrine offers a vital framework to strengthen global governance and heal deepening polarisations.
The theme of the conference, “Overcoming Polarizations and Rebuilding Global Governance: The Ethical Foundations,” provided the backbone of the Vatican Secretary of State’s discourse on the role of the Church’s social teaching in fostering justice, dialogue, and unity in an increasingly fractured world.
“We stand at a crossroads,” Cardinal Parolin said, “While global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and migration require greater cooperation, we often witness mistrust and fragmentation.”
Calling Catholic Social Teaching “a dynamic tradition” rather than a rigid ideology, the Cardinal pointed to its grounding in the Gospel, Church teaching, and human reason.
Its core principles - human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and care for creation - offer, he said, a universal moral compass for addressing contemporary crises.
Rethinking Global Governance
Cardinal Parolin pointed to a crisis of legitimacy in current global governance structures, describing widespread perceptions that institutions are either overly intrusive or insufficiently effective.
He highlighted three fundamental contributions that Catholic Social Doctrine can make: “Human dignity” as the foundation of governance; the “common good” as its goal; “Balancing subsidiarity and solidarity” to empower local communities while fostering global cooperation.
Human dignity, he said, is a principle that “challenges systems that reduce people to economic units or political pawns. (…) It calls for policies that prioritise the vulnerable - the refugee, the elderly, the unborn -over profit or power.”
The common good, he continued, urges us to move beyond utilitarianism or individualism, advocating instead for cooperation over competition. “Debt relief should not be seen as charity, but as a shared investment in global stability.”
Balancing subsidiarity and solidarity, he explained, would allow for governance structures that are neither authoritarian nor paralysed by fragmentation. “No nation is an island,” he said, “Subsidiarity without solidarity can neglect the marginalised, just as solidarity without subsidiarity can ignore local agency.”
Healing Through Dialogue And Encounter
Turning to the theme of polarisation, Cardinal Parolin described how ideological rifts, intensified by digital media, threaten trust and decision-making.
Thus, he continued, truth must be pursued through dialogue and the fostering of a “culture of encounter” where listening and humility guide debate.
Solidarity must also work as a bridge across global divides, he said, and the care for creation must become a universal concern as environmental crises, he noted, affect all nations regardless of ideology.
“Climate change doesn’t care about borders,” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to transcend divisions and collaborate for our shared home.”
Building A Civilisation of Love
In closing, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Catholic Social Doctrine in guiding efforts to renew political and economic systems.
“Global governance is not just about systems—it’s about building a civilisation of love,” he said. “Polarisation is not inevitable. It can be overcome through truth, solidarity, and shared purpose.”
Echoing the words of Pope Leo XIII, he concluded by urging participants to build “bridges through dialogue and encounter,” reminding them that unity does not mean uniformity, and that justice is rooted not in vengeance, but in peace.
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Pope at Regina Caeli: ‘We Cannot Forget Those Suffering Due To War’
Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace in war-torn parts of the world, praying for people suffering because of war, especially in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. By Devin Watkins
At the conclusion of the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV prayed the Regina Caeli and appealed for people suffering due to war.
He thanked the 200,000 people and numerous delegations attending the Eucharist, expressing his gratitude to the representatives of nations, Churches, and various religions.
“In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war,” said Pope Leo.
He recalled that “the surviving children, families, and elderly” in Gaza have been reduced to starvation, as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
In Myanmar, noted the Pope, “new hostilities have cut short innocent young lives.”
And, he lamented, “martyred Ukraine awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace.”
After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the Inauguration Mass with his wife.
n his Regina Caeli address, the Pope said he “strongly felt the spiritual presence of Pope Francis accompanying us from heaven.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Ethiopia Hosts World Interfaith Harmony Week To Promote Unity Through Faith
The 3rd World Interfaith Harmony Week forum held in Addis Ababa has brought together global faith leaders to discuss issues such as peacebuilding, climate justice, and religious freedom, and saw a strong Catholic participation. By Bezawit Assefa
The spirit of the “Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated” and the African philosophy of “ubuntu” brought together diverse religious communities for the 3rd World Interfaith Harmony Week, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event, aimed at fostering unity and collaboration among faith groups, coincided with the African Union’s recent inclusion as a member of the G20.
The high-level interfaith forum was convened at the Hilton International Hotel under the theme: “Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063, and South Africa’s 2025 G20 Summit.”
Organized through a collaborative effort by the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, the African Union, and the United Religions Initiative, the conference emphasized the role of faith in driving sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.
Distinguished guests included Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Government of Ethiopia; H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Bishop Tesfasellassie Medhin, Bishop of Adigrat, alongside numerous faith leaders from various denominations.
A Platform For A Living Peace
The President of Ethiopia said the conference makes a significant contribution to justice and peace in Africa, citing the Golden Rule as a guiding principle. He expressed his hopes that the conference’s resolution would serve as a valuable input to the national dialogue process in Ethiopia.
Key topics addressed during the conference ranged from faith communities’ contributions to the G20 agenda in Africa to climate challenges, women’s leadership, human trafficking, and interfaith cooperation for peace building.
Discussions also focused on freedom of religion, human dignity, and combating hate speech, xenophobia, and corruption.
Bishop Medhin emphasized that "religious leaders” hold a unique position to actively contribute to the ongoing peacebuilding process due to their close and continuous engagement with individuals and the faithful.
Catholic Presence And Witness
The Catholic presence was strongly felt throughout the forum, with numerous priests, religious sisters, and Catholic leaders contributing to key discussions.
They spoke on topics ranging from peacebuilding, climate justice, and religious freedom to combating human trafficking and promoting women's leadership, reflecting core Catholic social teachings.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Pope Leo XIV to Centesimus Annus Foundation: 'Give Voice To The Poor'
Pope Leo XIV challenges the Centesimus Annus Foundation to help develop the Church’s Social Doctrine with the “people of God, in this time of great social upheaval, through attentive listening and open dialogue to all.” By Kielce Gussie
The Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation commemorated its 2025 General Assembly and International Conference from May 15-17 in Rome, and the last day kicked off with a private audience with Pope Leo XIV.
The conference’s theme was “Overcoming Polarization and Rebuilding Global Governance: The Ethical Foundations,” and the Pope focused his message on the theme’s connection to the heart of the Church’s Social Doctrine.
Build Bridges Of Dialogue
Pope Leo challenged the Foundation members to help each other in the mission he spoke of the night he was elected: “Build bridges—through dialogue, through encounter—uniting all people to be one people, always in peace.”
He reminded them that this is not something spontaneous or improvised. Rather, it requires a combination of both grace and freedom.
A Time Of “Polycrisis”
During his speech, the Pope recalled his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, who “sought to contribute to peace by promoting social dialogue” in the midst of the struggles of his time in history.
Modern times are no different, he noted. The Holy Father recalled how Pope Francis described it as a “polycrisis,” filled with war, climate crises, growing inequality, forced migration, poverty, and lessened rights.
In the midst of these societal, environmental, and social challenges, the Church’s Social Doctrine “offers interpretative keys that bring science and conscience into dialogue.”
Pope Leo XIV reminded the Foundation members that what matters more than the problems is how people respond to them—“using ethical principles, sound criteria for evaluation, and openness to God’s grace.”
Social Doctrine In Today’s World
In his message, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need in today’s ongoing digital revolution to “rediscover, articulate, and cultivate the mission of educating in critical thinking.” He warned against letting dialogue decline and allowing irrational voices to spread fake news and dogmatic claims.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
CEAST Welcomes New Pope And Looks Forward To Ad Limina Visit
The President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST) has said that the Church in the region warmly welcomes the new Pope and that the Bishops are eager to meet the Holy Father at the Vatican during their upcoming ad limina visit.
Anastácio Sasembele – Luanda.
The announcement of the “white smoke” was met with great enthusiasm in Angola. On various digital platforms, many describe the new Roman Pontiff as a defender of social justice, discreet, focused on inclusion, migration, the peripheries, and a reformer aligned with Pope Francis.
The Angolan Church, represented by the Archbishop of Saurimo and CEAST President Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, stated that the election of Pope Leo XIV was most welcome. He added that the new Pope’s profile is well-suited to address the challenges of our times.
Archbishop Imbamba also mentioned that the Bishops of CEAST will soon have the opportunity to meet the new Pope during their upcoming ad limina visit, in the Vatican.
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Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, May 18th 2025 at 2:35PM
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