« We are called to prove our joyful religion in Jesus Christ … »

During his first Mass as Pope, today, Friday, May 9, 2025, Pope Leoni XIV recalled this important task of the Cardinaj and not, in the Sistine Chapel, where no more than last night, in the fourth voting, with a majority of at least two-thirds of votes, was elected 26th descendants of St. Peter.

In his Homelia, the young Pope called to cultivate more and more personal relations with Christ and insisted that, without religion, life makes no sense. The Holy Father, born in the US, spoke initially in English, thanking the cardigans for their faith.

« You have called me to carry this cross and feel blessed with this mission, and I know that I can rely on each of you to walk with me, while continuing as a church, as a community of Jesus’ friends, as believers, to proclaim the good news, to convey the Gospel. »

Christ showed us human sanctity

The Pope’s Homelia then continued in Italian eu concentrated in the figure of St. Peter Apostle, the first pope, remembering the words by which he knows the Son of God in the Gospel according to St. Matthew – « You are Christ, the Son of Living God » – to point out that inheritance, which is made by the constant faith in the Lord, deepened and followed it for two thousand years. « 

Reflecting on Peter’s relations with Christ, the New Pope recalled that only Jesus, our Savior, reveals to us the Father’s face.

« In it, God, to become close and accessible to men and women, » Leoni XIV underlined, « revealed himself in the faithful eyes of a child, in a young man’s living mind, and in the mature features of a man, finally appearing to his disciples after the resurrection with his corpus in glory. »

In this way, the Pope claimed, « He showed us a model of human holiness, which we can all imitate, along with the promise of an eternal destiny, which transcends all our boundaries and abilities. »

Pope Prevost pointed out that Peter, with his response, proves that he had realized that Christ is a « gift of God » and, at the same time, « the way to be followed, to change from that gift » to become a young man. They are inseparable aspects of redemption that are entrusted to the Church that must be proclaimed for the good of the human race, the Holy Father noted.

« Indeed, » Leoni XIV emphasized, « they are entrusted to us, who were chosen by (God) before we were formed in the womb, we were reborn in the water of baptism and, overcoming our limitations and without our merit, brought here and sent them from there, so that the Gospel would be told. »

Called me to be loyal to the church

The young pope recalled that by his election as the 267th Pope yesterday afternoon, God called for St. Peter to follow and, as such, entrust this treasure that, with divine help, to be his faithful breeder, for the good of the whole mystical corps of the church.

But, Pope recalled, Peter proves his religion in response to a special question: « Who say people is the Son of man? »

This question, Pope Prevost emphasized, is not irrelevant and has to do with « an essential aspect of our service, the world in which we live, its limitations and potential, with its questions and beliefs. »

Two different attitudes

« Who say people is the son of man? » Repeated the New Pope, pointing out that « we can find two possible answers, which characterize two different attitudes. » First, the answer of the world, which does not hesitate to reject and eliminate Christ as soon as « His presence becomes annoying », even because of his moral demands. Then, the next possible answer to Jesus’ question: that of ordinary people, who see him « as a righteous and courageous man », but nevertheless, for them « he is only man, so in times of danger, during his struggles, they even abandon and disappoint. »

Missionaries, where it is difficult to give evidence

We find these two attitudes today, noted Leoni XIV.

« Even today, » he warned, « there are many environments in which the Christian religion is considered absurd, destined for the weak and for non -intelligent people. Other security environments, such as technology, money, success, power, or pleasure. »

These are contexts, the Holy Father emphasized, « where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and prove his truth, where believers mock, oppose, despise, or at best tolerate and have mercy on. » « However, for this very reason, they are the places where the mission is urgent. »

Lack of religion is associated with shortages in the sense of life

« Lack of religion, » the Pope underlined, « is often tragically associated with the loss of meaning in life, with the disregard of mercy, the terrible violations of human dignity, the family crisis, and many other things that affect society. » Today, Leoni XIV noted, « there are many environments in which Jesus, though praised as a human, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leadership, or superior. » Acknowledging that this happens « not only among the unbelievers, but also among many baptized Christians », Pope Prevost explained that they « end up living in a state of practical atheism ». Given this, the Holy Father underlined:

« This is the world that is entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis has taught us so often, we are called upon to prove our joyful faith in the Savior Jesus. Therefore, it is fundamental for us to repeat, with Peter: ‘You are Christ, the Son of Living God.’

(@Vatican media)

The daily turn of the turn

The Holy Father demanded that this be done, first and foremost, in personal relations with God, in committing a « daily turning journey ». Then, the same must be done as a church, « experiencing together loyalty to God and bringing the good news to all. »

« I say this first and foremost for myself, as a descendant of St. Peter, as I began my mission as the Bishop of Rome, » Pope said, taking as an example the words of St. Injaci’s Antioch for the role of the Holy Father, which leads the universal church in love and charity. « St. Injaci, who was chained to that city (Antioch), a place of his near sacrifice, wrote to the Christians: ‘Then I will be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world does not see my body anymore.’

To be avoided, to make a place for Christ

St. Injaci, Pope Prevost explained, was talking about his martyrdom after being torn from wildlife in the arena, but his words can be applied, of course, by all those who exercise the service of authority in the church. This commitment, Leoni XIV observed, means « to be avoided, in order for Christ to remain, to become small so that he can be recognized and praised, to do what is possible, to the maximum forces, that everyone can know and love him. » The Pope completed Homelia with prayer:

« God grant me this grace, today and forever, through the love mediation of St. Mary, the Mother of the Church. »