This morning, June 29, Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Mass as Roman Pontiff in commemoration of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. This day also marks the traditional Peter’s Pence collection, which directly supports the Pope’s mission of charity and service to the universal Church, especially the most in need.
The Mass included members of the Greek Catholic Synod of Ukraine and of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, of the Eastern Orthodox Church, sent by Patriarch Bartholomew I.
During the celebration, the Holy Father conferred the Pallium upon the new Metropolitan Archbishops from various countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Among them were the Archbishop of Warsaw, Mons. Adrian Józef Galbas, and the Archbishop of Boston, Richard G. Henning, where the Shalom Catholic Community has a missionary presence.
“The Church, a workshop of unity and communion”
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the ecclesial communion reflected in Saints Peter and Paul, who, despite their differences, were united in their shared destiny in Rome:
“Ecclesial communion is born from the impulse of the Spirit; it unites differences and creates bridges of unity in the variety of charisms, gifts, and ministries. It is essential to learn how to live communion in this way—unity in diversity—so that the variety of gifts, harmonized in the confession of the one faith, may serve the proclamation of the Gospel.”
“We are called to walk this path, looking to Peter and Paul, because we all need that fraternity. The Church needs it, as do the relationships between lay people and priests, priests and bishops, bishops and the Pope. It is needed in pastoral life, in ecumenical dialogue, and in the friendship the Church wishes to foster with the world,” he reflected.
Pope Leo XIV also invited all the faithful to commit: “Let us work to make our diversity a workshop of unity and communion, of fraternity and reconciliation, so that everyone in the Church, with their own personal history, may learn to walk together with others.”
Regarding the vitality of Faith, the Holy Father noted that the stories of the two apostles inspire us to be open to change, to let ourselves be challenged by events, encounters, and concrete situations within communities, and to seek new paths for evangelization.
Angelus
After the celebration, the Angelus was prayed, during which Pope Leo XIV expressed his desire that his “pastoral service” be at the service of unity and foster communion.
“Whoever follows Jesus walks the path of the Beatitudes, encountering opposition and persecution,” the Pope said, adding, “The glory of God shines in His friends and is shaped from conversion to conversion, starting with our families and our communities.”
Hoping that the Church may be a “home” and “school of communion,” Leo XIV ended his Angelus with a call for peace: “May weapons fall silent, and let us work for communion and dialogue.”
