In a world still plagued by religious strife and persecution, Pope Leo XIV is calling the faithful to rediscover the witness of Blessed Cardinal Iuliu Hossu—a Greek-Catholic bishop who risked everything to protect the innocent and remained unwavering in faith through the darkness of war and Communist oppression. Why? Because his life remains “a beacon for today’s world,” a shining model of interfaith solidarity, mercy, and moral courage.
On the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ historic 2019 visit to Romania and the beatification of seven Greek-Catholic martyr bishops in Blaj, Pope Leo XIV presided over a commemorative ceremony in the Sistine Chapel to honor Blessed Iuliu Hossu. According to Vatican News, this remembrance was held in agreement with the late Pope and organized at the request of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania—a fitting gesture to recognize a man whose bravery and Christian love transcended religious and ethnic divisions.
“Today, in a certain sense, he enters this Chapel,” Pope Leo said, referring to the beatified cardinal. As reported by Vatican News’ Linda Bordoni, the Pope recalled how Hossu was secretly named a cardinal in pectore by Pope St. Paul VI in 1969, even while imprisoned for his fidelity to Rome under the Romanian Communist regime.
At the heart of the Pope’s message was Hossu’s fearless defense of Jews during the Nazi occupation of Northern Transylvania between 1940 and 1944. “At enormous risk to himself and to the Greek-Catholic Church,” Pope Leo said, “Blessed Hossu undertook extensive activities on behalf of the Jews aimed at preventing their deportation.” He quoted a pastoral letter Hossu issued on April 2, 1944: “Our plea is addressed to all of you… to help the Jews not only with your thoughts, but also with your sacrifice, knowing that there is no act more noble to be carried out today than providing Christian and Romanian assistance, born of ardent human charity.”
The impact of his efforts is more than historical—it’s personal. According to Pope Leo, the testimony of former Chief Rabbi Moshe Carmilly-Weinberger confirmed that Hossu’s actions helped save thousands of Jewish lives. For this, a process is underway to bestow on him the title “Righteous Among the Nations,” a designation given by the State of Israel to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
But the power of Cardinal Hossu’s witness did not end with war. After refusing to renounce his union with Rome, he was arrested and subjected to decades of persecution. Yet his response was not bitterness, but forgiveness. Pope Leo highlighted Hossu’s words: “God has sent us into this darkness of suffering in order to offer forgiveness and to pray for the conversion of all.” This, the Pope said, reflects “an unshakeable faith in God, devoid of hatred and coupled with a spirit of mercy that turns suffering into love for one’s persecutor.”
Blessed Hossu’s life reflects the very heart of the Church’s post-conciliar teaching, particularly the spirit of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s document on interreligious relations, issued by Pope Paul VI—whose 60th anniversary is now approaching. According to Pope Leo, “What he did for the Jews of Romania today makes him a model of freedom, courage and generosity, even to the point of making the supreme sacrifice.”
As a final call to action, Pope Leo urged the faithful to take up Hossu’s episcopal motto—“Our Faith is Our Life”—and to reject every form of violence, especially against the vulnerable: “Let us say ‘No!’ to violence in all its forms, and even more so when it is perpetrated against those who are defenceless and vulnerable, like children and families.”
In remembering Blessed Iuliu Hossu, Pope Leo XIV is not simply honoring a past hero. He is asking every Catholic today to live with that same courage and hope, and to let faith become the source of mercy, unity, and prophetic love in a suffering world.
