Pope Leo XIV Appeals for "dialogue, to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, brotherhood and the common good" at Vatican Jubilee for Athletes - FULL TEXT
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Pope Leo XIV continues Pope Francis' Saturday Jubilee audiences, focusing on St Irenaeus as a witness of hope as he welcomes thousands of athletes to St Peter’s Basilica for the Jubilee of Sport.
JUBILEE AUDIENCE
FULL TEXT CATECHESIS OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
JUBILEE AUDIENCE
FULL TEXT CATECHESIS OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
+ APPEAL at the END
in the Vatican's St. Peter 's Basilica on Saturday , 14 June 2025
___________________________________
To hope is to connect. Irenaeus of Lyon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters,
The special Jubilee audiences that Pope Francis began in January resume this morning , each time proposing a particular aspect of the theological virtue of hope and a spiritual figure who bore witness to it. Let us therefore continue on the path we have begun, as pilgrims of hope!
We are brought together by the hope transmitted by the Apostles from the beginning. The Apostles saw in Jesus the earth linked to heaven: with their eyes, ears, and hands they welcomed the Word of life. The Jubilee is an open door to this mystery. The Jubilee Year connects God's world more radically to ours. It invites us to take seriously what we pray every day: "On earth as it is in heaven." This is our hope. This is the aspect that we would like to explore today: to hope is to connect .
One of the greatest Christian theologians, Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon, will help us recognize how beautiful and timely this hope is. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor and was educated among those who had known the Apostles directly. He then came to Europe, because in Lyon a community of Christians from his own land had already formed. How good it is for us to remember this here, in Rome, in Europe! The Gospel was brought to this continent from outside. And even today, migrant communities are presences that revive faith in the countries that welcome them. The Gospel comes from outside. Irenaeus connects East and West. This is already a sign of hope, because it reminds us how peoples continue to enrich each other.
Irenaeus, however, has an even greater treasure to give us. The doctrinal divisions he encountered within the Christian community, internal conflicts and external persecutions did not discourage him. On the contrary, in a world in pieces he learned to think better, bringing his attention ever more deeply to Jesus. He became a singer of his person, indeed of his flesh. He recognized, in fact, that in Him what seems opposed to us is recomposed into unity. Jesus is not a wall that separates, but a door that unites us. We must remain in him and distinguish reality from ideologies.
Dear brothers and sisters, even today ideas can go mad and words can kill. The flesh, however, is what we are all made of; it is what binds us to the earth and to other creatures. The flesh of Jesus must be welcomed and contemplated in every brother and sister, in every creature. Let us listen to the cry of the flesh, let us hear ourselves called by name by the pain of others. The commandment we have received from the beginning is that of mutual love. It is written in our flesh, before any law.
Irenaeus, master of unity, teaches us not to oppose, but to connect. There is intelligence not where it separates, but where it connects. Distinguishing is useful, but never dividing. Jesus is eternal life among us: he gathers opposites and makes communion possible.
We are pilgrims of hope, because among people, peoples and creatures there needs to be someone who decides to move towards communion. Others will follow us. Like Irenaeus in Lyon in the second century, so in each of our cities we return to build bridges where today there are walls. Let us open doors, connect worlds and there will be hope.
____________________________
To hope is to connect. Irenaeus of Lyon
I cordially greet the pilgrims from the French language, in particular the pilgrims from France. Brothers and sisters, through the intercession of Saint Irénée, build them in our cities of bridges where you encore the walls, in the development of instruments of unity and peace to bring forth hope in your hearts. Here's your blessing!
I offer a warm greeting to all of you who are taking part in the Jubilee of Sport and in this international gathering on “The Momentum of Hope,” sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education. The time you spend together in these days will offer you a valuable opportunity to think about the relationship between athletic activity and the virtue of hope. When we think of it, sports are animated by hope, in the sense that they involve striving towards a goal, constantly trying to improve our performance and learning to work with others as a team. At the same time, our deepest hopes challenge us to make the world of sports an arena where authentically human and Christian values can be exercised and communicated to others for the building of a better world. In the spirit of this Jubilee, then, I encourage you, and the participants in the International Motorbike Rally, each in your own way, to be “missionaries of hope,” working to bring about a culture of ever greater solidarity, acceptance and fraternity. To all of you I cordially impart my Blessing.
in the Vatican's St. Peter 's Basilica on Saturday , 14 June 2025
___________________________________
To hope is to connect. Irenaeus of Lyon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters,
The special Jubilee audiences that Pope Francis began in January resume this morning , each time proposing a particular aspect of the theological virtue of hope and a spiritual figure who bore witness to it. Let us therefore continue on the path we have begun, as pilgrims of hope!
We are brought together by the hope transmitted by the Apostles from the beginning. The Apostles saw in Jesus the earth linked to heaven: with their eyes, ears, and hands they welcomed the Word of life. The Jubilee is an open door to this mystery. The Jubilee Year connects God's world more radically to ours. It invites us to take seriously what we pray every day: "On earth as it is in heaven." This is our hope. This is the aspect that we would like to explore today: to hope is to connect .
One of the greatest Christian theologians, Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon, will help us recognize how beautiful and timely this hope is. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor and was educated among those who had known the Apostles directly. He then came to Europe, because in Lyon a community of Christians from his own land had already formed. How good it is for us to remember this here, in Rome, in Europe! The Gospel was brought to this continent from outside. And even today, migrant communities are presences that revive faith in the countries that welcome them. The Gospel comes from outside. Irenaeus connects East and West. This is already a sign of hope, because it reminds us how peoples continue to enrich each other.
Irenaeus, however, has an even greater treasure to give us. The doctrinal divisions he encountered within the Christian community, internal conflicts and external persecutions did not discourage him. On the contrary, in a world in pieces he learned to think better, bringing his attention ever more deeply to Jesus. He became a singer of his person, indeed of his flesh. He recognized, in fact, that in Him what seems opposed to us is recomposed into unity. Jesus is not a wall that separates, but a door that unites us. We must remain in him and distinguish reality from ideologies.
Dear brothers and sisters, even today ideas can go mad and words can kill. The flesh, however, is what we are all made of; it is what binds us to the earth and to other creatures. The flesh of Jesus must be welcomed and contemplated in every brother and sister, in every creature. Let us listen to the cry of the flesh, let us hear ourselves called by name by the pain of others. The commandment we have received from the beginning is that of mutual love. It is written in our flesh, before any law.
Irenaeus, master of unity, teaches us not to oppose, but to connect. There is intelligence not where it separates, but where it connects. Distinguishing is useful, but never dividing. Jesus is eternal life among us: he gathers opposites and makes communion possible.
We are pilgrims of hope, because among people, peoples and creatures there needs to be someone who decides to move towards communion. Others will follow us. Like Irenaeus in Lyon in the second century, so in each of our cities we return to build bridges where today there are walls. Let us open doors, connect worlds and there will be hope.
____________________________
To hope is to connect. Irenaeus of Lyon
I cordially greet the pilgrims from the French language, in particular the pilgrims from France. Brothers and sisters, through the intercession of Saint Irénée, build them in our cities of bridges where you encore the walls, in the development of instruments of unity and peace to bring forth hope in your hearts. Here's your blessing!
I offer a warm greeting to all of you who are taking part in the Jubilee of Sport and in this international gathering on “The Momentum of Hope,” sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education. The time you spend together in these days will offer you a valuable opportunity to think about the relationship between athletic activity and the virtue of hope. When we think of it, sports are animated by hope, in the sense that they involve striving towards a goal, constantly trying to improve our performance and learning to work with others as a team. At the same time, our deepest hopes challenge us to make the world of sports an arena where authentically human and Christian values can be exercised and communicated to others for the building of a better world. In the spirit of this Jubilee, then, I encourage you, and the participants in the International Motorbike Rally, each in your own way, to be “missionaries of hope,” working to bring about a culture of ever greater solidarity, acceptance and fraternity. To all of you I cordially impart my Blessing.
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today's Audience, especially those coming from Ireland, Vietnam and the United States of America. In praying that you may experience an increase in the virtue of hope during this Jubilee Year, I invoke upon all of you, and upon your families, the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!
I cordially greet the pilgrims of the Spanish language, especially the groups coming from Spain and Latin America. I encourage us to contemplate the humanity of Jesus as the possibility of communion among us, and among other creatures so that, by remaining in Christ, we increase our hope. Much thanks.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie wszystkich Polaków. Rok Święty to czas pojednania. Sw. Ireneusz z Lyonu, nawiązując do nauki Apostołów, ukazuje, że prawdziwa jedność możliwa jest tylko w Chrystusie, który pojednał niebo z ziemią. Niech to będzie dla was znakiem nadziei. Szukajcie w Jezusie mocy do budowania jedności – w waszych rodzinach, ojczyźnie iw świecie. Błogosławię wam wszystkim.
[ I cordially greet all Poles. The Holy Year is a time of reconciliation. Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, taking up the teaching of the Apostles, shows that true unity is possible only in Christ, who reconciled heaven with earth. May this be a sign of hope for you. Seek in Jesus the strength to build unity – in your families, in your homeland and in the world. I bless you all .]
***
APPEAL
Even in these days, in fact, news is arriving that is of great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a delicate moment I wish to forcefully renew an appeal for responsibility and reason. The commitment to building a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, brotherhood and the common good. No one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee safety and dignity for all.
I cordially greet the pilgrims of the Spanish language, especially the groups coming from Spain and Latin America. I encourage us to contemplate the humanity of Jesus as the possibility of communion among us, and among other creatures so that, by remaining in Christ, we increase our hope. Much thanks.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie wszystkich Polaków. Rok Święty to czas pojednania. Sw. Ireneusz z Lyonu, nawiązując do nauki Apostołów, ukazuje, że prawdziwa jedność możliwa jest tylko w Chrystusie, który pojednał niebo z ziemią. Niech to będzie dla was znakiem nadziei. Szukajcie w Jezusie mocy do budowania jedności – w waszych rodzinach, ojczyźnie iw świecie. Błogosławię wam wszystkim.
[ I cordially greet all Poles. The Holy Year is a time of reconciliation. Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, taking up the teaching of the Apostles, shows that true unity is possible only in Christ, who reconciled heaven with earth. May this be a sign of hope for you. Seek in Jesus the strength to build unity – in your families, in your homeland and in the world. I bless you all .]
***
APPEAL
Even in these days, in fact, news is arriving that is of great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a delicate moment I wish to forcefully renew an appeal for responsibility and reason. The commitment to building a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, brotherhood and the common good. No one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee safety and dignity for all.
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims, in particular to the parishes of Tolentino, Bitonto and Tollo, to the faithful of the VI Municipio of Rome, to the members of Panathlon International. I hope that the Jubilee pilgrimage will confirm your faith in Christ, reaffirming the commitment to live according to the spirit of the Gospel.
My thoughts now go to the young people, the sick and the newlyweds. To the Virgin Mary I entrust the expectations and intentions of good that you have in your heart.
My blessing to everyone!
***
My thoughts now go to the young people, the sick and the newlyweds. To the Virgin Mary I entrust the expectations and intentions of good that you have in your heart.
My blessing to everyone!
***
Pope Leo XIV Spoke these words IN ENGLISH
I offer a warm greeting to all of you who are taking part in the Jubilee of Sport and in this international gathering on “The Momentum of Hope,” sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education. The time you spend together in these days will offer you a valuable opportunity to think about the relationship between athletic activity and the virtue of hope. When we think of it, sports are animated by hope, in the sense that they involve striving towards a goal, constantly trying to improve our performance and learning to work with others as a team. At the same time, our deepest hopes challenge us to make the world of sports an arena where authentically human and Christian values can be exercised and communicated to others for the building of a better world.
In the spirit of this Jubilee, then, I encourage you, and also the participants in the International Motorbike Rally, each in your own way, to be “missionaries of hope,” working to bring about a culture of ever greater solidarity, acceptance and fraternity. To all of you I cordially impart my Blessing.
******************************
Dear brothers and sisters:
This morning we take up the series of catecheses on the Jubilee theme of hope begun by Pope Francis earlier this year. Like Jesus himself, God and man, the evangelical virtue of hope connects heaven and earth, our world and the kingdom of heaven. We see this reflected in the life of Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, a great bishop and theologian of the second century. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor, nurtured in its apostolic traditions, and migrated to Europe as a missionary of the Gospel. His ministry was above all one of unity, grounded in the person of Jesus himself, true God and true man. By taking on our flesh, Jesus united us to one another, reconciling divisions and charging us to acknowledge him in all our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and those in need. Inspired by this teaching of Saint Irenaeus, may we work together for unity in our communities, opening doors and building bridges in place of walls. In this way, as pilgrims of hope, may we bear living witness to the Gospel message of unity, reconciliation and peace in Christ.
Source: Vatican.va - with screenshot from Vatican Media
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