Celebrating his first Mass in Rome’s diocesan cathedral, Pope Leo XIV said communion was built primarily “on our knees,” through prayer and a constant commitment to conversion. Source: CNS.
He reaffirmed Pope Francis’ dedication to listening, first and foremost, to the Holy Spirit, as it then leads to listening to and understanding others “as our brothers and sisters”
The Pope’s remarks came during his homily at a Mass at the Basilica of St John Lateran, where he took possession of the cathedral as the bishop of Rome yesterday.
At the start of the liturgy, Cardinal Baldassare Reina read a profession of obedience to the Pope on behalf of the diocese and then the Pope sat on the raised marble chair in the basilica’s apse, taking formal possession of the cathedra (chair) of the bishop of Rome. He then received representatives of his flock, including clergy and laypeople.
The Pope dedicated his homily to the Mass readings, putting special emphasis on the importance of listening.
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles described Paul and Barnabas recognising the authority of the Jerusalem church and going there to settle the question of whether Gentiles could embrace a form of Christianity that did not include observing every aspect of Mosaic law.
“This was no easy matter; it called for much patience and mutual listening,” and Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem were prepared to listen, Pope Leo said.
That dialogue “led to the right decision”, he said, because they listened to God’s voice.
“In this way, they remind us that communion is built primarily ‘on our knees,’ through prayer and constant commitment to conversion. For only in this way can each of us hear within the voice of the Spirit crying out: ‘Abba! Father!’ and then, as a result, listen to and understand others as our brothers and sisters,” he said.
The Pope then got in an open Popemobile and visited the Basilica of St Mary Major, where he venerated the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People) icon.
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Communion requires prayer, listening, conversion, pope says (By Carol Glatz, CNS)
