Pope Leo XIV Listens to the Papal Preacher's 1st Lent Sermon - Fr. Roberto Pasolini Reveals 5 Ways to Find Peace Via a Spirit of Humility


The Courage to be Small: Fr. Pasolini’s First Lenten Meditation

On March 6, Fr. Roberto Pasolini, Preacher of the Papal Household, delivered his first Lenten sermon in the Paul VI Audience Hall with Pope Leo XIV in attendance. Drawing inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Pasolini explored the theme: "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)."

His message was clear: in a world marred by violence, the "path of smallness" is not a spiritual luxury, but a practical responsibility for the fate of humanity.

1. Peace Through Humility


Fr. Pasolini argued that true peace isn’t just the result of high-level diplomacy or military strategy. Instead, it is built by individuals who have the courage to:

  • Step back from the desire for dominance.

  • Renounce revenge and violence in all forms.

  • Choose dialogue even when it seems impossible.

2. Redefining Conversion

Conversion is often misunderstood as a grueling self-improvement project. Fr. Pasolini corrected this, noting that "Evangelical conversion" is God’s initiative first.

  • A Change of Sensitivity: Inspired by St. Francis’s "doing penance," conversion is a shift toward seeing others through the lens of mercy.

  • A Response to Grace: It is not about "straightening out" one's life through willpower, but responding to a grace that changes how we perceive and desire.

3. Recovering the Concept of Sin

The preacher observed that modern society often replaces "sin" with terms like "fragility" or "conditioning." He warned that if we lose the concept of sin, we lose the concept of human freedom.

"If every sin becomes just a symptom, we risk losing the greatness of human responsibility... if sin disappears, holiness becomes an abstract destiny."

4. The Power of Smallness

While St. Francis is famously the saint of poverty, Fr. Pasolini emphasized that humility is his defining trait.

  • Returning to Truth: Humility isn't about self-deprecation; it’s about deflating our "inflated self-image" to return to who we truly are.

  • The Strength of the Little: Much like a child who isn't ashamed to ask for help, "smallness" inspires goodness and awakens mercy in others—the most precious energy in the world.

5. A Continuous Journey

Fr. Pasolini concluded by reminding the faithful that conversion is never finished. It is a constant "beginning again," especially during conflict. It is easy to be humble when things are calm, but the true test of the Gospel occurs when darkness reigns and the instinct to impose oneself is strongest.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-03/lenten-meditations-peace-comes-from-courage-small-passolini.html

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