Pope Leo XIV Warns of "those “thieves” who, by pillaging the earth’s resources, waging blood-thirsty wars...rob each of us of the possibility of a future marked by peace" FULL TEXT

POPE LEO XIV at the REGINA CAELI
in the Vatican's St Peter's Square on 
4th Sunday of Easter, 26 April 2026
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Brothers and sisters, good afternoon and happy Sunday!

As we continue our journey through the Easter season, today’s Gospel presents us with Jesus’ comparison of himself to a shepherd and also to the gate of the sheepfold (cf. Jn 10:1–10).

Jesus draws a contrast between the shepherd and the thief. Indeed, he says that “anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit” (v. 1). He goes on to make this even clearer: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (v. 10). The difference is clear: the shepherd has a special bond with his sheep and can therefore enter by the gate of the sheepfold. On the other hand, if someone has to climb over the fence to get in, then he is certainly a thief who wants to steal the sheep.

Jesus is telling us that he is bound to us by a relationship of friendship, for he knows us, calls us by name, guides us, and — just as the shepherd does with his sheep — searches for us when we are lost and binds up our wounds when we are sick (cf. Ezek 34:16). Jesus does not come as a thief to take away our life and our freedom, but to lead us along the paths of righteousness. He does not come to ensnare or deceive our conscience, but to illuminate it with the light of his wisdom. He does not come to taint our earthly joys, but to open them to a fuller and more lasting happiness. Those who entrust themselves to him have nothing to fear, for he does not deprive us of life, but comes to give it to us in abundance (cf. v. 10).

Brothers and sisters, we are invited to reflect on, and especially to be vigilant over, the gate to our heart and our life, because whoever enters may either increase our joy, or steal it from us like a thief. “Thieves” can take many forms. They could be: people who, regardless of appearances, suppress our freedom or fail to respect our dignity; beliefs and biases that prevent us from viewing others and life with serenity; mistaken ideas that can lead us to make negative choices; or superficial and consumeristic lifestyles that leave us empty on the inside and push us to live constantly beyond ourselves. And let us not forget those “thieves” who, by pillaging the earth’s resources, waging blood-thirsty wars, or fueling evil in any form, do nothing but rob each of us of the possibility of a future marked by peace and serenity.

We must ask ourselves: Who do we want to guide us in life? Which “thieves” have tried to break into our fold? Have they succeeded, or have we managed to ward them off?

Today, the Gospel invites us to trust in the Lord. He does not come to take anything from us. On the contrary, he is the Good Shepherd who increases life and offers it to us in abundance. May the Blessed Virgin Mary always accompany us on our journey and intercede for us and for the whole world.

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After the Regina Caeli

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the tragic incident in Chernobyl, which left a lasting mark on the conscience of humanity. It serves as a warning regarding the inherent risks of using increasingly powerful technologies. Let us entrust those who died and all who still suffer from the aftermath of the disaster to God’s mercy. I hope that discernment and responsibility will always prevail at every level of decision-making so that all use of atomic energy may be placed at the service of life and peace.

I now extend my greetings to you, Romans and pilgrims from various countries: welcome!

I greet the Knights and Dames of the Order of Saint George and the European Order of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. I welcome the children of the “Malva” dance group from Brovary, in Ukraine; the Cantica Sacra Choir from the Archdiocese of Trnava in Slovakia; the faithful from Vienna, Madrid and the Canary Islands; and the teachers of the “São Tomás” School in Lisbon.

I also greet the large group of young people from Val Camonica in the Diocese of Brescia, and the young altar servers from Biadene and Caonada; as well as the faithful from Treviso, Vicenza, Crotone, Cariati, Oria and Lecce; and the participants in the conference of the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy.

A special greeting to the family members and friends of the new priests of the Diocese of Rome, whom I ordained this morning in Saint Peter’s Basilica: please continue to accompany these young ministers of the Gospel with your prayers.

I wish everyone a blessed Sunday.