Pope Leo XIV Visits San Marino and Tells Authorities "there can be no true civil freedom without personal freedom—that is, without respect for and the promotion of the dignity of the human person....this freedom is “given and guaranteed by God.”
Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, for a half-day pastoral visit, followed by a visit to the Italian city of Rimini in the afternoon. He met first with the civil authorities of San Marino at the Public Palace, offering his gratitude to the Captains Regent, the two joint Heads of State, a tradition that dates back to 1243. In his address, Pope Leo expressed his joy to visit the world’s oldest Republic, following in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II who visited in 1982 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. (Vatican News)
FULL TEXT - ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER
TO THE AUTHORITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY at the Public Palace of the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, 2026
_______________________________________
Speech of the Holy Father
Lords Captains Regent, Illustrious Authorities,
I am very pleased to visit your country, which boasts the distinction of being the oldest Republic in the world, with a tradition dating back to the early fourth century. I heartily thank the Captains Regent for their gracious invitation and for the welcome they have extended to me, as evidenced by the words they have addressed to me on behalf of all its citizens. My visit follows in the footsteps of those of Saint John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2011 , and is intended to confirm the profound bond that unites San Marino to the Apostolic See. This connection is ancient due to their long historical coexistence, yet at the same time recent if we consider that only a century ago, in April 1926, diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Most Serene Republic of San Marino were formalized.
Throughout its long history, your Republic has perpetually embodied the words that we might call its Founder's spiritual testament, which were recalled earlier: "Let us relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine," a phrase clearly encapsulated in the motto Libertas . A single word, but one of such depth! In the context of the history of a people and a state, it certainly expresses the aspiration to self-determination, to be independent of other political authorities. But, at the same time, Libertas means much more, and I would like to reflect briefly on this with you.
First of all, I wish to emphasize that there is no true civil freedom without personal freedom, that is, without respect for and promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which freedom is an essential component. This freedom is given and guaranteed, ultimately, by God, whose voice resonates in the conscience of every human being.
Promoting freedom means defending the space of conscience. And here our thoughts turn to the many men and women who, in every age and place, are martyrs of freedom because they bear witness to the primacy of conscience. Firmly formed by the search for truth, they are fully responsible for their own decisions and therefore free from any constraint other than that, proper to the creature, which binds them to God. Saint Thomas More , Patron of Governments and Politicians, is exemplary in this. Even today, in many parts of the world, there is no shortage of people who remain faithful to their conscience even in times of great adversity, witnesses to true freedom, the freedom that comes from being sons and daughters of God. With admiration, we express our solidarity with those who, at this moment, are paying personally for not betraying their conscience.
Furthermore, freedom is realized in giving, in communion, in encounter, and in dialogue. It is like a plant that grows and produces branches and leaves to offer everyone oxygen, shade, fragrance, fruit, and new seeds. And how could it be otherwise, since it flows from the source of Triune Love? This theological reference may seem excessive, but I believe it is necessary today, in the face of the idolatry that undermines at the root those political and economic projects that present themselves in the name of freedom, but in reality are slaves to idols and power.
In the Christian vision, freedom and communion stand or fall together. Many saints have pioneered experiences of community life in which people express their freedom through obedience to a rule based on the Gospel. In your case, it is always of particular interest that at the origins of your community are men like Saint Marino and Saint Leo, whom we can define as builders of free and peaceful cities. Their work can be interpreted according to the biblical icon of the reconstruction of Jerusalem promoted by the Prophet Nehemiah. It is the "positive" image, opposed to that of the Tower of Babel, which guides the reflection of the Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (see no. 8). Nehemiah's work is inspired by prayer, involves families and all the people, builds bonds even before the stones are laid; the style is communion, not uniformity, "the harmony that arises when each person assumes his or her part and all the people recognize that their strength comes from the Lord" ( ibid .). Thus I like to think of the work undertaken by your Founders, which is well reflected in the industriousness and ingenuity of this people and this land.
For you, Libertas also means a never-ending commitment to active and positive participation in building peace. In this regard, I express my deep appreciation and find particular consonance with the attitude of the Holy See. For this reason, we share the esteem for diplomacy and multilateralism as privileged ways to cultivate international relations and promote understanding between nations. "In contrast to the impulsive communications, aggressive rhetoric, and logics of power that mark our time, diplomacy's vocation is to foster dialogue with all, including those considered more 'inconvenient' or who would not consider themselves legitimate to negotiate. Diplomacy must exert its utmost humility and patience to mend even the faintest signs of good will between the parties in conflict, thus beginning a process of peacemaking" (Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas , 224).
Ladies and Gentlemen, this visit – similar to what happened in the Principality of Monaco – invites me to underscore the unique value of a small, "human-scale" State, where it is possible to experience the closeness of politics to the needs of citizens and, therefore, a more effective democracy, especially if inspired by Christian inspiration. Therefore, the Republic of San Marino can be a "laboratory" of good politics, where, without derogating the secular nature of the State, one can draw on the principles of Catholic social doctrine: the pursuit of the common good, the universal destination of goods, the harmony of subsidiarity and solidarity, and social justice (see ibid. , 59-81). This commitment appears even more precious today, as the Association Agreement with the European Union prepares to become operational and your Republic will find itself in a stable, albeit unique, relationship with a complex reality that can greatly benefit from your contribution.
Going even deeper, the primary goal to strive for in this "laboratory" is human care . A community like yours, in fact, both rich in traditional values and technologically in step with the times, can effectively pursue this goal through care that translates into the protection of every life, at every stage, from conception to natural death. "The quality of a civilization is measured not by the power of its means, but by the care it offers, by the capacity to recognize the other as a face and not as a function. The ability to care for one another is an important dimension of our being human. […] Technology can also support mutual care between people, for example by offering tools that help us foresee and organize, but without depriving us of the freedom and judgment of human beings, the subject of relationships and responsible for decisions" ( ibid ., 114).
This concern for others has been a hallmark of San Marino's history since its very beginning. As has been noted, it has manifested itself in the tradition of hospitality, which has never wavered throughout the centuries, towards those who suffer and are in distress. Recently, it has been demonstrated in the support and hospitality shown to the Ukrainian people, especially at the beginning of the conflict, as well as in the commitment to international humanitarian law at a time when it appears to be routinely disregarded, if not downright trampled upon.
This sensitivity is also a fruit of this country's Christian tradition and of the constant and positive collaboration between the political authorities and the Bishop in the pursuit of the common good. I am therefore particularly grateful for your commitment and testimony, and I encourage you all—governors, citizens, and the ecclesial community—to continue your courageous and far-sighted commitment to the dignity of every human person and the common good. To each of you, I renew my expression of joy for this visit to the Republic of San Marino and invoke the Lord's blessing upon all.
__________________________
The Holy Father's greeting to the faithful in the square from the balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico
Good morning! Good morning everyone! I sincerely thank you for your welcome on this beautiful day! I am truly happy to be here with you, to greet you, to enjoy the beauty, history, tradition, and faith of these great people of San Marino.
Best wishes to you: may you always live in authentic freedom, with the true freedom in Christ Jesus, with the truth, and may you always be united in this welcoming spirit. Best wishes to all!
TO THE AUTHORITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY at the Public Palace of the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, 2026
_______________________________________
Speech of the Holy Father
Lords Captains Regent, Illustrious Authorities,
I am very pleased to visit your country, which boasts the distinction of being the oldest Republic in the world, with a tradition dating back to the early fourth century. I heartily thank the Captains Regent for their gracious invitation and for the welcome they have extended to me, as evidenced by the words they have addressed to me on behalf of all its citizens. My visit follows in the footsteps of those of Saint John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2011 , and is intended to confirm the profound bond that unites San Marino to the Apostolic See. This connection is ancient due to their long historical coexistence, yet at the same time recent if we consider that only a century ago, in April 1926, diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Most Serene Republic of San Marino were formalized.
Throughout its long history, your Republic has perpetually embodied the words that we might call its Founder's spiritual testament, which were recalled earlier: "Let us relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine," a phrase clearly encapsulated in the motto Libertas . A single word, but one of such depth! In the context of the history of a people and a state, it certainly expresses the aspiration to self-determination, to be independent of other political authorities. But, at the same time, Libertas means much more, and I would like to reflect briefly on this with you.
First of all, I wish to emphasize that there is no true civil freedom without personal freedom, that is, without respect for and promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which freedom is an essential component. This freedom is given and guaranteed, ultimately, by God, whose voice resonates in the conscience of every human being.
Promoting freedom means defending the space of conscience. And here our thoughts turn to the many men and women who, in every age and place, are martyrs of freedom because they bear witness to the primacy of conscience. Firmly formed by the search for truth, they are fully responsible for their own decisions and therefore free from any constraint other than that, proper to the creature, which binds them to God. Saint Thomas More , Patron of Governments and Politicians, is exemplary in this. Even today, in many parts of the world, there is no shortage of people who remain faithful to their conscience even in times of great adversity, witnesses to true freedom, the freedom that comes from being sons and daughters of God. With admiration, we express our solidarity with those who, at this moment, are paying personally for not betraying their conscience.
Furthermore, freedom is realized in giving, in communion, in encounter, and in dialogue. It is like a plant that grows and produces branches and leaves to offer everyone oxygen, shade, fragrance, fruit, and new seeds. And how could it be otherwise, since it flows from the source of Triune Love? This theological reference may seem excessive, but I believe it is necessary today, in the face of the idolatry that undermines at the root those political and economic projects that present themselves in the name of freedom, but in reality are slaves to idols and power.
In the Christian vision, freedom and communion stand or fall together. Many saints have pioneered experiences of community life in which people express their freedom through obedience to a rule based on the Gospel. In your case, it is always of particular interest that at the origins of your community are men like Saint Marino and Saint Leo, whom we can define as builders of free and peaceful cities. Their work can be interpreted according to the biblical icon of the reconstruction of Jerusalem promoted by the Prophet Nehemiah. It is the "positive" image, opposed to that of the Tower of Babel, which guides the reflection of the Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (see no. 8). Nehemiah's work is inspired by prayer, involves families and all the people, builds bonds even before the stones are laid; the style is communion, not uniformity, "the harmony that arises when each person assumes his or her part and all the people recognize that their strength comes from the Lord" ( ibid .). Thus I like to think of the work undertaken by your Founders, which is well reflected in the industriousness and ingenuity of this people and this land.
For you, Libertas also means a never-ending commitment to active and positive participation in building peace. In this regard, I express my deep appreciation and find particular consonance with the attitude of the Holy See. For this reason, we share the esteem for diplomacy and multilateralism as privileged ways to cultivate international relations and promote understanding between nations. "In contrast to the impulsive communications, aggressive rhetoric, and logics of power that mark our time, diplomacy's vocation is to foster dialogue with all, including those considered more 'inconvenient' or who would not consider themselves legitimate to negotiate. Diplomacy must exert its utmost humility and patience to mend even the faintest signs of good will between the parties in conflict, thus beginning a process of peacemaking" (Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas , 224).
Ladies and Gentlemen, this visit – similar to what happened in the Principality of Monaco – invites me to underscore the unique value of a small, "human-scale" State, where it is possible to experience the closeness of politics to the needs of citizens and, therefore, a more effective democracy, especially if inspired by Christian inspiration. Therefore, the Republic of San Marino can be a "laboratory" of good politics, where, without derogating the secular nature of the State, one can draw on the principles of Catholic social doctrine: the pursuit of the common good, the universal destination of goods, the harmony of subsidiarity and solidarity, and social justice (see ibid. , 59-81). This commitment appears even more precious today, as the Association Agreement with the European Union prepares to become operational and your Republic will find itself in a stable, albeit unique, relationship with a complex reality that can greatly benefit from your contribution.
Going even deeper, the primary goal to strive for in this "laboratory" is human care . A community like yours, in fact, both rich in traditional values and technologically in step with the times, can effectively pursue this goal through care that translates into the protection of every life, at every stage, from conception to natural death. "The quality of a civilization is measured not by the power of its means, but by the care it offers, by the capacity to recognize the other as a face and not as a function. The ability to care for one another is an important dimension of our being human. […] Technology can also support mutual care between people, for example by offering tools that help us foresee and organize, but without depriving us of the freedom and judgment of human beings, the subject of relationships and responsible for decisions" ( ibid ., 114).
This concern for others has been a hallmark of San Marino's history since its very beginning. As has been noted, it has manifested itself in the tradition of hospitality, which has never wavered throughout the centuries, towards those who suffer and are in distress. Recently, it has been demonstrated in the support and hospitality shown to the Ukrainian people, especially at the beginning of the conflict, as well as in the commitment to international humanitarian law at a time when it appears to be routinely disregarded, if not downright trampled upon.
This sensitivity is also a fruit of this country's Christian tradition and of the constant and positive collaboration between the political authorities and the Bishop in the pursuit of the common good. I am therefore particularly grateful for your commitment and testimony, and I encourage you all—governors, citizens, and the ecclesial community—to continue your courageous and far-sighted commitment to the dignity of every human person and the common good. To each of you, I renew my expression of joy for this visit to the Republic of San Marino and invoke the Lord's blessing upon all.
__________________________
The Holy Father's greeting to the faithful in the square from the balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico
Good morning! Good morning everyone! I sincerely thank you for your welcome on this beautiful day! I am truly happy to be here with you, to greet you, to enjoy the beauty, history, tradition, and faith of these great people of San Marino.
Best wishes to you: may you always live in authentic freedom, with the true freedom in Christ Jesus, with the truth, and may you always be united in this welcoming spirit. Best wishes to all!
Sources: Vatican.va News Bulletin and Vatican Media Image
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