Pope Leo XIV Highlights the Importance of Liturgy and Appeals for Peace saying "War does not solve problems...innocent lives are cut short" FULL TEXT
.png)
in Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Catechesis. The Documents of the Second Vatican Council. III. Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium. 2. The reform of the liturgy: tradition and development
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!
In the Encyclical Mediator Dei, the Venerable Pius XII writes that “the Church is without question a living organism, and as an organism, in respect of the sacred liturgy also, she grows, matures, develops, adapts and accommodates herself to temporal needs and circumstances, provided only that the integrity of her doctrine be safeguarded” (no. 59).
In full accordance with this principle, the Second Vatican Council, in the Introduction to the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC), recognizes “particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy” (no. 1). The Council assembly was gathered, in fact, with the desire to “impart an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church” (ibid.).
At that moment in history, there was a strong sense of the need for a renewal of the ritual forms through which, for centuries, the Church had glorified God and sanctified the Christian people. Thanks to the Liturgical Movement, the conviction had matured—later expressed by Saint John Paul II—that “a very close and organic bond exists between the renewal of the liturgy and the renewal of the whole life of the Church. The Church not only acts but also expresses herself in the liturgy, lives by the liturgy and draws from the liturgy the strength for her life” (Letter Dominicae Cenae, 13).
To encourage the access of the faithful to the richness of the gifts of grace dispensed by the sacred liturgy, the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium thus indicates, with a very effective phrase, the direction to take: “That sound tradition may be retained, and yet the way remain open to legitimate progress” (SC, 23).
Pope Benedict XVI grasped in this declaration of intent the “reform programme” of the Council Fathers, “a balance between the great liturgical tradition of the past and that of the future”, noting that “tradition and progress are often clumsily opposed”, whereas “actually, the two concepts merge: tradition is a living reality, which therefore includes in itself the principle of development, of progress. It is as if to say that the river of tradition also carries its source in itself and flows towards the outlet” (Address to participants in the Congress promoted by the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm on the 50th anniversary of foundation, 6 May 2011).
The Council affirms the legitimacy of this progress, rooted in authentic Tradition, distinguishing within the liturgy “immutable elements, divinely instituted” from “elements subject to change [which] not only may but ought to be changed with the passage of time if they have suffered from the intrusion of anything out of harmony with the inner nature of the liturgy or have become unsuited to it” (SC, 21). Changes of this type have taken place constantly over the centuries in order to enable the faithful to participate fruitfully, through ritual actions, in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, the foundation of the Christian faith. The Church’s worship has thus been “embodied” in the cultural forms of each age and has been able to influence them and even transform them. The liturgy has thus been, for centuries, a driving force for evangelization. Today, this energy must be renewed in continuity with the authentic and living Catholic tradition, that is, in accordance with a dynamic aimed at introducing believers to the fullness of the truth.
It is therefore understandable why the Council Fathers recommended that the revision of the rites, when “the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them”, must be carried out taking care that “any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing” (SC, 23). For the good of the entire Church, every reform must always be preceded by careful “theological, historical and pastoral” investigation (ibid.). The Council Magisterium, in this way, thus calls for the avoidance of confusion amongst the faithful, discouraging anyone from adding, removing or altering anything in liturgical matters on their own initiative (cf. SC, 22). The progress evoked in the Conciliar Constitution in no way compromises ecclesial communion: rather, it seeks to confirm and foster it.
I therefore urge all those called to prepare the celebration of the divine mysteries, in particular priests who exercise the ministry of liturgical presidency, to always uphold that respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy which springs from an inner attitude of openness and trust in God, manifesting humility before His greatness and sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion.
***
APPEAL
I am following with concern the war in Ukraine, which has intensified significantly in recent days. I wish to express my solidarity with all those suffering as a result of the recent attacks, which have also targeted civilians.
War does not solve problems; it exacerbates them. It does not build security; it multiplies suffering and hatred. Where missiles and drones fall, hopes are crushed, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are cut short.
I entrust all peoples stricken by war to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.
__________________________________________________
Special greetings:
I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s audience, in particular the groups from England, Ireland, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Canada and the United States of America. May the peace of God guard your minds and your hearts that you may know the love of Jesus Christ and joyfully share it with others. God bless you!
I cordially greet the French-speaking faithful, especially the pilgrims from Lebanon and France. Brothers and sisters, let us invoke the Holy Spirit so that a liturgical renewal, faithful to authentic Tradition, may strengthen ecclesial communion and the full participation of the faithful. God bless you !
I extend a cordial greeting to the German-speaking pilgrims. May the Holy Spirit help us to participate with faith and devotion in the Sacred Liturgy, to conform ourselves ever more closely to Christ and, through him, to glorify the triune God .
I cordially greet the Spanish-speaking pilgrims. May the liturgy, which helps us to glorify the Lord and to achieve our own sanctification, always be valued and respected by all, especially in the celebration of the sacred mysteries. May God bless you. Thank you very much.
I extend my cordial greeting to the Chinese-speaking people. Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit guide you in your daily lives, make you perfect in love, and protect you in the communion of the Church. I bless you wholeheartedly .
Dear Portuguese-speaking brothers and sisters, welcome! Together with Mary, Mother of the Church, let us remain persevering and united in prayer, and let us transmit to everyone the hope and consolation of the Gospel. May the Lord bless you and your families!
I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful, especially those from Lebanon. Mary, our Mother, is always present with us, praying for us and caring for us with maternal love. May the Lord bless you all and always protect you from all evil !
I cordially greet the Polish people. Yesterday you celebrated Mother's Day. I thank all the mothers who generously passed on the gift of life and care for their children, teaching them love for God and neighbor. May the Holy Mother of God intercede for them so that they may obtain the grace of a lasting bond with Jesus. With her help, protect the life of every person in your homeland – from conception to natural death. I bless you all .
___________________________
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the consecrated persons present at this Audience: the Religious of the Union of Major Superiors of Italy, the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, the Capuchin Tertiaries of the Holy Family, the Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and the Marist Brothers. I hope that each of them will rekindle the fervor of their consecration and give new impetus to the mission of their respective communities.
I warmly welcome the seminarians of the Apulian Regional Seminary, the participants in the Marian championship, the Festa dei Popolo of Orte Scalo, and the Confraternity of Blessed Angelo da Furci: I encourage everyone to be witnesses of authentic Christian life and openness in solidarity towards others.
Finally, I address the young people, the sick, and newlyweds. May your pilgrimage to Rome, and in particular to the tombs of the Apostles, reinvigorate your faith in Christ: may He be the light and the way for your existence.
My blessing to everyone!
_____________________________
Summary of the Holy Father's words:
Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s reflection on Sacrosanctum Concilium, we consider the liturgy through the lens of tradition and of development. Pope Pius XII called the Church a “living organism” which needs to grow, mature and adapt to circumstances. Indeed, desiring that Christian life should thrive and grow, the Second Vatican Council recognized it was time to adjust some adaptable elements in the liturgy for the health and vitality of the Church, to fortify and rejuvenate Christians, and to foster unity and evangelize men and women. The Council affirmed that legitimate progress in the liturgy must also preserve sound tradition, and that certain elements of the liturgy can never change because they are divinely instituted. In a particular way, I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God’s greatness and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion.
Source: Vatican News Bullletin
Comments