Pope Leo XIV

HOLY MASS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova (Castel Gandolfo) Saturday 15 August 2026 https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2026/documents/20260815-omelia-castelgandolfo.html The Magisterium of the Church teaches us that Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, 1 November 1950) and points out to us, in this Mystery, the fulfillment of the most perfect grace that God bestowed upon her at her Immaculate Conception (cf. ibid.). For this reason, many works of art depict her as a beautiful young woman physically rising from the earth toward the heavens at the end of her earthly life.  On the surface this image seems to contrast with our experience of what the passing of the years does to us. As we age, our bodies do not become more agile, but heavier; our skin does not become fresher, but shows the signs of old age; our hair does not gain color and luster, but turns gray and then white.   So, what do we have in common with the beautiful young woman depicted on the altarpieces of our churches? To understand this, we must unite the two signs we have mentioned: the incorrupt body of the Mother of God and her immaculate heart.  The glorification of Mary, body and soul, teaches us that our true beauty does not lie in hiding the signs of aging, but in revealing the signs of love that never end, and are even impressed on our flesh (cf. 1 Cor 13:8). With this in mind, we are invited to reexamine many of the aesthetic standards, predominantly hedonistic and consumerist in nature, that the world imposes on us. These standards risk trapping us in burdensome expectations that does not last forever. Love is humanity’s most beautiful adornment. Love transfigures, transforms, ennobles and lifts us up, making us light, free and close to God. Dear friends, the maiden of Nazareth, the beautiful face of Our Lady of the Assumption is unique; it transcends any possible representation, and yet, at the same time, is familiar to us. Even at this very moment, we can see her face in the people who are close to us, such as the brothers and sisters with whom, in faith, we share the daily offering of our lives.       文ᴀ Translate         .

@Pontifex – May 4 Practical assistance offered to the disadvantaged allows them to experience God’s love, and opens a path for them to enter into a lasting relationship with God. At the same time, it enables us to come into contact with the flesh of Christ by seeking to see and serve Him in our brothers and sisters (cf. Mt 25:31-46). In this way, our works of charity become a mutual encounter with the Lord who is present among us.      文ᴀ Translate         .

Read 👉Gospel of the Day👈 ‘If anyone loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. The word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.’ (John 14:21-26) 🗣✝ 🇺🇸   👉Podcast 🗣✝ 🇮🇹   👉Podcast     .

@Pontifex – May 3 Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, sponsored by UNESCO. Unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes flagrantly, sometimes in hidden ways. Let us remember the many journalists and reporters who are victims of war and violence.      文ᴀ Translate         .

@Pontifex – May 3 “Have faith,” Jesus tells us in the #GospelOfTheDay (Jn 14:1). That is the secret! It is precisely this faith that frees our hearts from the anxiety of possessing and acquiring, and from the illusion that we must pursue a position of prestige to have worth. Each person already has infinite worth in the mystery of God.      文ᴀ Translate         .

🇺🇸 https://youtu.be/-a60VaSe3tY?is=WJBS-twehCNlOauW .

@Pontifex Let us #PrayTogether that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food. #PrayerIntention @clicktopray_en      文ᴀ Translate         .

🇪🇸 https://youtu.be/pw0ClB7-kM8?is=BydQTEZWrz2rT85s .

🇮🇹 https://youtu.be/lp8a9Jw5aLg?is=IG9qDhSYTRiK0NxY .

@Pontifex – Apr 29 For the people of Africa, the Pope’s visit was a chance to make their voices heard, to express the joy of being God’s people and the hope for a better future, of dignity for each and every person. I am happy to have given them this opportunity, and I thank the Lord for what they have given me: an inestimable treasure for my heart and my ministry.      文ᴀ Translate         .

@Pontifex – Apr 29 From the beginning of my pontificate, I have thought about a journey in #Africa. I thank the Lord for granting me the opportunity to undertake it, as Shepherd, in order to encounter and encourage the people of God, as well as to offer a message of #Peace at a time in history marked by wars and serious and frequent violations of international law. General Audience of 29 April 2026 - The Apostolic Journey in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea AR  - DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - HR  - IT  - PL  - PT  - ZH_TW      文ᴀ Translate         .

@Pontifex – Apr 27 Our mission calls us to be “bridges” and “channels” of #Peace, even before trying to build it with our limited human efforts, especially in the face of those who do not seek it as a gift from God. May the grace that comes from heaven find its way through the folds of history. Visit to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy | Vatican.va https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2026/4/27/visita-pae.html      文ᴀ Translate         .

@Pontifex – Apr 27 While our suffering world greatly needs the #peace of Christ, the divisions among Christians weakens our capacity to be effective bearers of that peace. If the world is to take our preaching to heart, we must, therefore, be constant in our prayers and efforts to remove any stumbling blocks that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. #ChristianUnity https://t.co/PU9SaqKqUG      文ᴀ Translate         .