Pope Leo XIV urges courage and dialogue in solemn homily at vatican grottoes
VATICAN CITY – In a profoundly moving homily delivered on sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV called upon the faithful to embrace courage and dialogue as essential tenets of Christian life, urging believers not to retreat into fear or isolation, but to open their hearts to listening and bridge-building.
The newly elected Pontiff presided over a private mass at the tomb of Saint Peter in the vatican Grottoes, deep beneath the majestic dome of St Peter’s Basilica. The quiet ceremony was followed by a moment of intimate reflection as the pope paused in silence before the tombs of his papal predecessors, offering prayers for guidance and unity at a time of global uncertainty.
In his homily, which he first delivered in english before repeating in Italian, Pope Leo XIV drew inspiration from the gospel of the day, which centred on the parable of the good shepherd. Reflecting on the passage, the Pope spoke of the universal call to proclaim the gospel, urging christians everywhere to resist fear and face their mission with courage and humility.
“Courage! Do not be afraid!” the holy father declared with emphasis, his words echoing through the ancient grottoes. He acknowledged that the task of bearing witness to the faith is seldom easy and often demands sacrifice. Yet, he reminded the faithful that courage is not rooted in defiance but in a willingness to listen deeply — to god, to one another, and even to those with whom we may disagree.
“Listening is the first step towards dialogue,” Pope Leo XIV stated. “It allows us to engage in genuine conversations where walls give way to bridges.” He went on to caution against the temptation to adopt a posture of superiority or exclusivity in matters of faith, warning that “we cannot close doors, as if we possess the whole truth and others have nothing to offer.”
This humility, the pope explained, is essential to discerning where god is calling us, both as individuals and as a church. He encouraged the faithful to remain attentive to the voices around them, especially those who suffer, those who feel unheard, and those whom the world has marginalised.
“Let us not fear to walk paths of encounter, even when they lead us into difficult terrain,” the Pope said. “our Lord walked such paths first.”
The homily marked the pope’s first major liturgical celebration since his recent election, setting a clear tone for his pontificate — one focused on humility, peace, and dialogue. His message of courage was further underscored by his earlier appearance on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, where he led the Regina Coeli prayer before thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square.
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In a powerful address that followed the prayer, Pope Leo XIV made a direct and unequivocal appeal concerning the war in Ukraine. “I appeal to the great leaders of the world,” the Pope declared. “No more war!” He described the suffering of the “beloved Ukrainian people” as a wound on the conscience of humanity and called upon global leaders to pursue paths of peace and negotiation over violence and destruction.
The Pope’s words were met with warm applause by those assembled, with many holding Ukrainian flags aloft in the square. His clear stance on the conflict — notably forthright for the early days of a pontificate — signals a continuation of the Vatican’s commitment to advocating for peace and justice on the international stage.
Observers noted that both his homily in the Grottoes and his public address reflected the same pastoral emphasis on dialogue over confrontation, on courage rather than fear, and on bridge-building over division.
Pope Leo XIV’s message, delivered from the heart of vhristendom, will resonate widely among Catholics and beyond, as the world watches the early steps of his papacy unfold amidst tumultuous times.
