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Pope Leo XIV addresses Catholic politicians and civic leaders from the French Diocese of Créteil (CNS/Vatican Media)

Even in countries with the strictest separation of church and state, being a Christian means living and acting like one, Pope Leo XIV said yesterday. Source: OSV News.

“Christianity cannot be reduced to a merely private devotion, for it entails a way of living in society marked by loving God and neighbour, who in Christ is no longer an enemy but a brother,” the Pope told a group of politicians and civic leaders from France.

The group from the Diocese of Créteil were making a pilgrimage with their bishop, Bishop Dominique Blanchet.

Faith in Jesus has implications for “every dimension of human life, such as culture, the economy and work, family and marriage, respect for human dignity and for life, and health care, along with communication, education and politics,” the Pope said.

“Unite yourself more and more to Jesus — live in him and bear witness to him,” Pope Leo told the group. There should be no “split in the personality of a public figure; there is not the politician on one side and the Christian on the other. Rather, there is the politician who, under the gaze of God and guided by his conscience, lives out his commitments and responsibilities as a Christian!”

The Pope encouraged the politicians and civic leaders to grow in their faith and study Catholic doctrine, particularly the social teaching of the Church, and “apply it in the exercise of your duties and in the drafting of laws”.

“Its foundations are profoundly in harmony with human nature and the natural law that all can recognise, including non-Christians and nonbelievers,” he said. 

“So, do not be afraid to propose and defend it with conviction: it is a doctrine of salvation aimed at the good of every human being, and at building peaceful, harmonious, prosperous and reconciled societies.”

FULL STORY

Live, act on faith; avoid ‘split’ personality, Pope tells politicians (OSV News)