Pope Leo receives priests of Rome in the Vatican (@Vatican Media)
Pope to Rome priests: Rekindle the faith, urgent to
proclaim Christ's promises
Pope Leo XIV invites priests of Diocese of Rome to rekindle
their gift of the faith, proclaim the Gospel, be close to families and young
people, and support one another in priestly fraternity, especially young
priests who may feel overwhelmed.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV received the priests of the Diocese of Rome in
the Vatican on Thursday and exhorted them to rekindle the fire first lit by God
when He gave them the gift of collaborating in His work.
The Pope expressed his “great joy” to meet with them and
joked that although Lent has just begun, the audience “is not an act of
penance.”
In his address, the Pope identified challenges and
priorities for priests, inviting them to let faith sustain them.
Rekindle the gift of
God
The Holy Father urged them not to see themselves as “passive
executors of an already defined pastoral plan,” but to exercise creativity in
collaborating with God’s work.
“Church of Rome," Pope Leo said, "remember to
rekindle the gift of God."
Often pressed “by rapid cultural changes and the scenarios
in which our mission unfolds, sometimes beset by fatigue and the weight of
routine, or discouraged by the growing indifference toward faith and religious
practice,” the Pope acknowledged, “we feel the need for this fire to be nourished
and rekindled.”
He also exhorted the clergy to working together in
communion. “We cannot think and act in isolation,” the Pope said, as he
observed how people’s lives and parish life have changed dramatically over the
years.
Pope Leo addresses
priests of Rome. (@VATICAN MEDIA)
“It is urgent," he said, "to return to proclaiming
the Gospel. This is the priority,” as he called for “paths and ways that help
people come back into contact with the promise of Jesus.”
Transmit the faith
without being discouraged
To transmit the faith more effectively, the Holy Father
encouraged the clergy to explore other pathways that better involve children,
young people, and families.
Recognizing the challenges of ministering to young people,
in whom elements of faith are often mixed with cultural and social factors, the
Pope said, “It is necessary to grasp and interpret the deep existential
discomfort that inhabits them, their confusion, their many difficulties.”
In this context, the Pope said that parishes are called to
engage in dialogue “with institutions present in the area, with schools, with
specialists in education and the human sciences, and with all those who care
about the destiny and future of our young people.”
“We do not have easy solutions that guarantee immediate
results," Pope Leo admitted, "but, as much as possible, we can remain
attentive to young people, make ourselves present, welcome them, and share a
part of their lives.”
A moment from the
audience (@Vatican Media)
Despite weariness,
keep going
The Holy Father also addressed younger priests, recognizing
that they “often experience firsthand the potential and the burdens of their
generation and of this era.”
“I invite you never to close yourselves off,” he said. “Do
not be afraid to engage in dialogue, even about your weariness and your crises,
especially with brother priests whom you believe can help you.”
In conclusion, Pope Leo exhorted the priests to “live
concretely priestly fraternity,” saying, “Let us accompany and support one
another.”
Pope Leo exchanging
words with priests of Rome (@Vatican Media)
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