Pope Leo XIV Reminds Police and Guards of a St. Michael Prayer "we ask for his heavenly help to ensure citizens "harmony, honesty, and peace so that—with respect for all laws"

Pope Leo XIV thanks directors and police officers of Italy’s Inspectorate for Public Safety for Vatican City for their work to ensure the safety of the faithful and pilgrims around Vatican City, especially during such an intense year, which saw the Jubilee, the funeral of Pope Francis, and the Conclave.

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
at the Vatican's Clementine Hall on Monday, January 19, 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Mr. Deputy Chief of Police, Madam Prefect and Mr. Director,
Reverend Chaplains,
Dear Officials and Agents, good morning and welcome!

I am pleased to meet you, as is customary, at the beginning of the calendar year, to offer you and your families my best wishes in the Lord for 2026. I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the valuable work you do to ensure the safety of myself, my collaborators, and the many pilgrims and tourists who visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.

I would particularly like to thank you for all you did during the Jubilee that has just concluded, as well as on the occasion of the death of my late Predecessor, Pope Francis, his funeral, and then the Conclave. During those intense days, which certainly tested your strength, you were able to keep pace with rapidly unfolding events, sometimes planned and sometimes unpredictable, ensuring that everything proceeded in an orderly fashion and demonstrating, as always, a spirit of sacrifice, professionalism, flexibility, and discretion.

In recent months, more than thirty-three million pilgrims have visited Rome, particularly the Jubilee sites, first and foremost the Vatican Basilica and the surrounding areas. You have had to manage endless lines of people and large crowds, accompany movements and maintain security, in good and bad weather, and with often inconvenient and demanding schedules and rhythms. In this regard, a thought of thanks also goes to your loved ones who, indirectly, have found themselves caught up in these dynamics, adapting to the demands of your commitments and extraordinary work shifts and, I imagine, often forgoing your presence.

Order and security are gifts that require sacrifice from those who guarantee them, yet they contribute significantly to the common good: in this case, not only to the practical implementation of activities in compliance with regulations, but also to their being conducted in a peaceful and peaceful atmosphere. A safe environment is indeed a great support for prayer, and many visitors—some arriving in Rome after long journeys and making physical and financial sacrifices—have been able to experience this in recent months, thanks in part to you.

In the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron of the State Police, we ask for his heavenly help to ensure citizens "harmony, honesty, and peace so that—with respect for all laws—the spirit of human brotherhood may be nourished." To this end, we ask: "Integrity to our minds, vigor to our wills, honesty to our affections for the serenity of our homes and the dignity of our land." These are beautiful words, which express a program and a style of service, and at the same time point to a path of ongoing personal and community growth. I believe you have faithfully embodied them over the past year, and I hope you will increasingly make them the compass of your life and work, each within their own sphere of responsibility, also with the help of your spiritual advisors.

Dear friends, in conclusion I would like to make my own the words that Pope Benedict XVI addressed to your Inspectorate a few years ago: "May your presence," he said, "dear friends, be an ever more valid guarantee of that good order and tranquility which are fundamental for building a peaceful and composed social life, and which, in addition to being taught to us by the evangelical message, are a sign of authentic civilisation" ( Greeting to the Directors and Staff of the Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican , 14 January 2013).

Entrusting you to the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy and Saint Michael the Archangel, I assure you of my prayers for you and your families and I bless you from my heart.