James O'Reilly
In his Wednesday audience address, Pope Leo XIV spoke to the faithful present in St. Peter’s Square, inviting them to reflect on the dimension of the Church. These were his words in English:
Dear brothers and sisters,
In our ongoing catechesis on Lumen Gentium, we focus on the eschatological dimension of the Church. As the “universal sacrament of salvation,” the Church is a sign and instrument of the fullness of God’s promises. As the pilgrim People of God, the Church interprets history through the lens of the Gospel and speaks decisively against all evil. At the same time, the Church acknowledges the need for continual conversion so she may properly fulfill her mission. As members of the same Body, we too are called to renewal. We do this by remaining in communion with Christ and one another. The entire Church is most closely united in our praise of God in the liturgy. There we pray for the faithful departed and ask the Saints to intercede for us so that we may all receive the fullness of God’s promises in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, Ghana, Uganda, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Canada and the United States of America. I greet in particular the faculty and students from the University of Florida, Saint Mary’s College and Christendom College and all those participating in the AI Conference at the Gregorian University. Upon all of you, and upon your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the risen Jesus! May God bless you!
