Standing before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV offered a message of hope rooted in Jesus’ words following the Beatitudes, reminding Catholics that authentic joy and meaning come from living the Gospel, even when life feels dark or discouraging.
Reflecting on Christ’s teaching, the Pope explained that the Beatitudes are not abstract ideals but a way of life that changes the world from within. After proclaiming them, Jesus speaks to those who live them out, showing that “thanks to them the earth is no longer the same and the world is no longer in darkness,” according to Vatican News.
True joy, the Holy Father noted, is not superficial happiness but something that “gives flavor and light to the dark parts of life.” This joy, he said, flows from a deliberate choice to live as Jesus lived — poor in spirit, meek, pure of heart, and hungry for justice. An encounter with Christ lived in this way transforms a person, unlocking “mercy and peace as powers of transformation and reconciliation,” according to Vatican News.
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Turning to the Prophet Isaiah, Pope Leo XIV highlighted concrete acts of charity as signs of this transformed life: sharing food with the hungry, welcoming the homeless, clothing the naked, and caring for those closest to us. When these actions are lived, Scripture promises that “then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily” (Is 58:8). The Pope explained that this image reveals both a light that dispels darkness and a wound that is finally healed, according to Vatican News.
Addressing the pain many carry, the Holy Father acknowledged that “it is painful to lose flavor and give up joy,” adding that this loss can feel like “a wound on one’s heart.” Many people, he observed, may feel “worthless or broken,” as if their light has been hidden. Yet the Gospel offers a powerful reassurance: God does not discard His children. As the Pope stressed, God “knows our names and cares for our uniqueness,” and “will never throw us away,” according to Vatican News.
He emphasized that even the deepest wounds can be healed through welcoming the Beatitudes and returning to the path of the Gospel. Simple acts of openness and care for others, though often countercultural, help reignite joy and restore meaning to life.
The Pope also reflected on Jesus’ temptation in the desert, noting that Christ rejected paths that would have caused Him to “lose his true flavor.” That true flavor, the Pope said, is found in the Eucharist, “the Bread that is broken, which is a life given and a silent love,” according to Vatican News.
In closing, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to remain close to Christ, explaining that those nourished by Him become like “a city set on a hill,” not only visible but welcoming — a sign of the peace all people seek. He invited the faithful to entrust themselves to Mary, the Gate of Heaven, asking her help to “become and remain disciples of her Son,” according to Vatican News.
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