Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message against violence and indifference during Sunday services at the Vatican, emphasizing that "entire peoples are being crushed by violence and even more by shameless indifference." Speaking first at Mass in Saint Anne's Parish and later during the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff encouraged perseverance "with hope in a time seriously threatened by war" while criticizing the transformation of wealth into weapons that destroy populations.
During the Angelus address, the Pope specifically addressed the situation in Gaza, where a banner reading "Peace for Gaza" in rainbow colors was displayed among the faithful. "There is no future based on violence, forced exile, or revenge," Leo XIV declared, adding that "peoples need peace! Those who truly love them work for peace." His words were met with solemn applause from the crowd gathered in the square, reflecting the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
The Pope's earlier homily at Saint Anne's Parish, located on the border between Vatican City and Rome, contained similar themes about the misuse of resources. He warned against governments "transforming wealth into weapons that destroy peoples and into monopolies that humiliate workers," arguing that attachment to material goods "confuses our hearts and distorts our future." The intimate celebration was attended by 103-year-old Augustinian friar Gioele Schiavella, former parish priest of Saint Anne's from 1991 to 2006.
Leo XIV's twin addresses come as the United Nations General Assembly prepares to open its 80th session, with Palestine and Gaza expected to be central topics. The Pope acknowledged Catholic associations "engaged in solidarity with the population of the Gaza Strip" and expressed appreciation for church initiatives worldwide showing closeness to "brothers and sisters suffering in that tormented land." His consistent message across both appearances emphasized that true security comes not from military might but from working toward peace and shared prosperity.
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