Wow Pope Leo XIV has Lunch with 200 Poor saying "We are truly building a different world, a world of hope" at Castel Gandolfo - VIDEO

Pope Leo XIV Dines with the Vulnerable: Calling for a Church "Where No One Is an Enemy"

CASTEL GANDOLFO — Pope Leo XIV spent his Saturday sharing a meal and a message of profound hope with approximately 200 vulnerable individuals, including 35 children, assisted by the Diocese of Rome. The gathering took place at Borgo Laudato Si’, nestled within the tranquil papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo, for a day dedicated entirely to "welcome and fraternity."

"I Came Without a Speech, But with Hunger"

Beneath the cool shade of the estate's tall trees, shielded from the peak summer heat, the Pontiff bypassed a formal speech to speak from the heart. Before blessing the laden tables, he noted that the gathering was about satisfying a much deeper hunger than a physical meal:

"Hunger for authentic charity, hunger for a Church that truly knows how to open its doors, welcome, and receive everyone; where there is love for all and where no one is an enemy, where we all know how to live reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace."

Building Bridges to a Better Society

The event opened with greetings from key Church leaders, including:

• Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Director General of the Laudato Si' Center.

• Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.

• Monsignor Luis Marín de San Martín, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Charity.

A Light in a Broken World

FULL TEXT Message of Pope Leo XIV - Good morning everyone and welcome!

Thanks for being here.

I came without a speech, but with hunger. With a hunger for justice, a hunger for authentic charity, a hunger for a Church that truly knows how to open its doors, welcome, and receive everyone. A Church where there is love for all and where no one is an enemy, where we all know how to live reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace.

You know very well that the Pope's title—among others—is " Pontiff ": a builder of bridges. And today we would like to build a bridge with all of you, with your families, and with the society in which we want to live, to live with justice. A place where the causes of poverty can be eliminated, where the causes of the injustices that still exist in our world can be eliminated: this is the Church we want to be.

And I thank all of you and all those responsible for organizing this beautiful lunch, this event, because when we come together, when we experience this spirit of encounter all together at the table, the only table where Jesus is also present with us, we are truly building a different world, a world of hope, a world of light. So often this reality is shattered by violence, hatred, and discrimination: let us work together, let us always try to live this experience of the Church, of justice, of peace, and of love.

And so, let us ask the Lord to bless us and this food, this common table that we want to share.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

May your blessing descend upon us, Lord, upon each of us and upon this food that we will now share thanks to the generosity of so many benefactors. Bless our families, bless all those who are experiencing difficulty or suffering: may they too find peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

And bless us, O Lord, and these gifts we receive from Your Providence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Enjoy your meal! Everyone is welcome!