Pope Leo XIV says "Even when hopes for...peace "such as the world gives" is trampled upon...you are called...to bring to all the word of the Risen Christ" FULL TEXT to the Ecclesial Academy
On Monday, 27 April, Pope Leo XIV visited the Pontifical Academy in Rome, emphasising “the special vocation at the service of peace, truth and justice” to which the pontifical diplomatic priest is called. The meeting coincided with the 325th anniversary of the institution’s foundation, which the Pope had already visited before being elected to the Chair of Peter, when he was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE PONTIFICAL ECCLESIASTICAL ACADEMY
ON THE 325TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION
Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy on Monday, April 27, 2026
________________________
Your Eminence, Your Excellencies,
dear Superiors and Students of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy,
I am pleased to make my first visit as Roman Pontiff to this ancient and noble institution, on the occasion of the jubilee of its 325th anniversary. Already a few years ago, when I came here to give my testimony as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops as part of the meetings offered to the alumni , I had the opportunity to reflect on the essential mission carried out by the Alma Mater of Pontifical Diplomats. Today, almost a year after the beginning of my Petrine ministry, accompanied by the diligent commitment of the Secretariat of State and the Pontifical Representations, those sentiments have been confirmed. I therefore look with profound gratitude at the history of dedication and service that this joyous anniversary celebrates.
This history—rooted in the very catholicity of the Church—has seen an unbroken chain of priests from various parts of the world contribute their humble efforts to building that unity in Christ which, despite their diverse origins, makes communion a fundamental characteristic of the diplomatic service of the Holy See. The reforms—the last of which was desired by my immediate Predecessor, of venerable memory—have always aimed to preserve this distinctive and constitutive characteristic of the action of our diplomacy, called every day to pray and work " that one may be " ( Jn 17:21).
In particular, recent changes in various aspects of academic and intellectual formation have given the Institution the autonomy needed to renew the study framework for legal, historical, political, and economic disciplines, along with the languages used in international relations. I would like to reiterate, however, that the most important reform required of those who enter this Community is a constant exercise in conversion, aimed at cultivating "closeness, attentive listening, witness, a fraternal approach, and dialogue [...] combined with humility and meekness" (Francis, Chirograph The Petrine Ministry , March 25, 2025): virtues that must permeate your entire priestly ministry.
Today's meeting, in this House that has contributed to the intellectual, human, and spiritual growth of various Saints and Blesseds—including some of my illustrious Predecessors—is for me an opportunity to outline with you some of the traits of the papal diplomat priest who, sharing in the ministry of the Successor of Peter, welcomes and cultivates a special vocation to serve peace, truth, and justice.
He must be, first of all, a messenger of the Easter message: "Peace be with you!" ( Jn 20:19). Even when hopes for dialogue and reconciliation seem to vanish, and peace "such as the world gives" is trampled upon and put to the test, you are called to continue to bring to all the word of the Risen Christ: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" ( Jn 14:27). And even before attempting to build it with our own meager strength, before those who do not seek it as a gift from God, your mission calls you to be "bridges" and "channels" for it, so that the grace that comes from heaven can make its way through the folds of history.
The papal diplomat, then,—working in the most diverse cultural contexts and in international organizations—is particularly called to bear witness to the Truth that is Christ, bringing His message to the assembly of nations, and becoming a sign of His love for that portion of humanity entrusted to his mission as pastor, even before that of diplomat. As I had occasion to point out at the beginning of this year to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, today it is urgently necessary for "words to once again express certain realities unequivocally," because "only in this way can authentic dialogue, free from misunderstandings, resume" ( Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See , 9 January 2026). For this reason too, it is important that you bring to the world the Word of Life, which revealed itself not through the affirmation of abstract principles and ideas, but by becoming flesh.
Finally, you are preparing to carry out a unique ministry, one that involves not only protecting the good of the Catholic community, but of the entire human family living in a given nation or participating in the bodies of various international organizations. This requires you to be promoters of all forms of justice that help recognize, rebuild, and protect the image of God imprinted in every person. In defending human rights—among which the rights to religious freedom and life stand out—I therefore urge you to continue to point the way, not through opposition and vindication, but through the protection of the dignity of the person, the development of peoples and communities, and the promotion of international cooperation. These are the only tools that allow us to embark on authentic paths of peace.
Dear Superiors and Students, in a world marked by tensions, which seems to make conflict the only way to address needs and concerns, our ability to dedicate ourselves to dialogue, listening, and reconciliation may seem insufficient, sometimes even futile. This should not discourage us! Let us continue to confidently invoke Christ's gift of peace, without fear. And be assured that your generous ministry, at any time and in any place, will always be a means to promote and safeguard the dignity of every man and woman, created in the image and likeness of God, and to advance the common good.
With these wishes and with paternal benevolence, I invoke upon each of you and upon the future journey of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Saint Anthony Abbot, your Patron, the Apostolic Blessing.
Source: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/04/27/0350/00694.html
TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE PONTIFICAL ECCLESIASTICAL ACADEMY
ON THE 325TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION
Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy on Monday, April 27, 2026
________________________
Your Eminence, Your Excellencies,
dear Superiors and Students of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy,
I am pleased to make my first visit as Roman Pontiff to this ancient and noble institution, on the occasion of the jubilee of its 325th anniversary. Already a few years ago, when I came here to give my testimony as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops as part of the meetings offered to the alumni , I had the opportunity to reflect on the essential mission carried out by the Alma Mater of Pontifical Diplomats. Today, almost a year after the beginning of my Petrine ministry, accompanied by the diligent commitment of the Secretariat of State and the Pontifical Representations, those sentiments have been confirmed. I therefore look with profound gratitude at the history of dedication and service that this joyous anniversary celebrates.
This history—rooted in the very catholicity of the Church—has seen an unbroken chain of priests from various parts of the world contribute their humble efforts to building that unity in Christ which, despite their diverse origins, makes communion a fundamental characteristic of the diplomatic service of the Holy See. The reforms—the last of which was desired by my immediate Predecessor, of venerable memory—have always aimed to preserve this distinctive and constitutive characteristic of the action of our diplomacy, called every day to pray and work " that one may be " ( Jn 17:21).
In particular, recent changes in various aspects of academic and intellectual formation have given the Institution the autonomy needed to renew the study framework for legal, historical, political, and economic disciplines, along with the languages used in international relations. I would like to reiterate, however, that the most important reform required of those who enter this Community is a constant exercise in conversion, aimed at cultivating "closeness, attentive listening, witness, a fraternal approach, and dialogue [...] combined with humility and meekness" (Francis, Chirograph The Petrine Ministry , March 25, 2025): virtues that must permeate your entire priestly ministry.
Today's meeting, in this House that has contributed to the intellectual, human, and spiritual growth of various Saints and Blesseds—including some of my illustrious Predecessors—is for me an opportunity to outline with you some of the traits of the papal diplomat priest who, sharing in the ministry of the Successor of Peter, welcomes and cultivates a special vocation to serve peace, truth, and justice.
He must be, first of all, a messenger of the Easter message: "Peace be with you!" ( Jn 20:19). Even when hopes for dialogue and reconciliation seem to vanish, and peace "such as the world gives" is trampled upon and put to the test, you are called to continue to bring to all the word of the Risen Christ: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" ( Jn 14:27). And even before attempting to build it with our own meager strength, before those who do not seek it as a gift from God, your mission calls you to be "bridges" and "channels" for it, so that the grace that comes from heaven can make its way through the folds of history.
The papal diplomat, then,—working in the most diverse cultural contexts and in international organizations—is particularly called to bear witness to the Truth that is Christ, bringing His message to the assembly of nations, and becoming a sign of His love for that portion of humanity entrusted to his mission as pastor, even before that of diplomat. As I had occasion to point out at the beginning of this year to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, today it is urgently necessary for "words to once again express certain realities unequivocally," because "only in this way can authentic dialogue, free from misunderstandings, resume" ( Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See , 9 January 2026). For this reason too, it is important that you bring to the world the Word of Life, which revealed itself not through the affirmation of abstract principles and ideas, but by becoming flesh.
Finally, you are preparing to carry out a unique ministry, one that involves not only protecting the good of the Catholic community, but of the entire human family living in a given nation or participating in the bodies of various international organizations. This requires you to be promoters of all forms of justice that help recognize, rebuild, and protect the image of God imprinted in every person. In defending human rights—among which the rights to religious freedom and life stand out—I therefore urge you to continue to point the way, not through opposition and vindication, but through the protection of the dignity of the person, the development of peoples and communities, and the promotion of international cooperation. These are the only tools that allow us to embark on authentic paths of peace.
Dear Superiors and Students, in a world marked by tensions, which seems to make conflict the only way to address needs and concerns, our ability to dedicate ourselves to dialogue, listening, and reconciliation may seem insufficient, sometimes even futile. This should not discourage us! Let us continue to confidently invoke Christ's gift of peace, without fear. And be assured that your generous ministry, at any time and in any place, will always be a means to promote and safeguard the dignity of every man and woman, created in the image and likeness of God, and to advance the common good.
With these wishes and with paternal benevolence, I invoke upon each of you and upon the future journey of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Saint Anthony Abbot, your Patron, the Apostolic Blessing.
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