By Vatican News
On Sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Grottoes to celebrate Holy Mass at the altar near the tomb of Saint Peter.
According to a statement by the Holy See Press Office, the Mass was concelebrated by Fr Alejandro Moral Anton, Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.
Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV spent time in silent prayer at the tombs of his predecessors. He also paused before the niche of the Pallia, the woolen stoles that symbolise the unity between the Pope and metropolitan archbishops across the world.
Giving our lives to Christ
In his homily for what he called a particularly “significant” Sunday, the Pope—speaking first in English, then in Italian—reflected on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd.
As he begins his new Petrine ministry, he looked to the example of Jesus, “and whom we depend on.” On this Mother’s Day, which he made a point of acknowledging, Pope Leo said that “one of the most wonderful expressions of the love of God is the love that is poured out by mothers, especially to their children and grandchildren.”
Searching vocations together
Addressing the theme of vocations—at the heart of today’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations—Pope Leo recalled that the topic featured prominently during the recent meetings of the cardinals, both before and after his election.
“All of us,” he said, “must search together. First and foremost, by giving good example in our lives, with joy, living the joy of the Gospel, not discouraging others, but rather looking for ways to encourage young people to hear the voice of the Lord and to follow it and to serve in the Church.”
The power of listening
Pope Leo also spoke of the universal call to proclaim the Gospel, urging the faithful: “Take heart! Don’t be afraid!”
Acknowledging that the mission sometimes involves sacrifice, he emphasized how essential it is to listen—to God’s Word and to one another.
“Listening is what allows us to enter into true dialogue,” he said, calling it the foundation for building bridges, something he has emphasized from the start of his pontificate.
“We have to know how to listen—not to judge, not to shut doors as if we hold all the truth and no one else has anything to offer,” the Pope said. From this posture of humility, he added, will come greater clarity about where the Lord is calling us. – Vatican News
