As he does every Wednesday for the general audience, Pope Leó XIV rode through St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile to greet the faithful. Along the way, there's always a memorable moment, like this little boy dressed as the Pope.
During the catechesis, the Pope centered his reflection on the silence of Holy Saturday, when Jesus lies in the tomb. He explained that it’s not an empty silence, but one full of meaning, like the waiting of a mother carrying a child in her womb.
POPE LEO XIV
It’s hard for us to stop and rest. We live as though life is never enough. We rush to produce, to prove ourselves, to avoid falling behind. But the Gospel teaches us that knowing how to stop is a gesture of trust, one we must learn. Holy Saturday invites us to discover that life doesn't always depend on what we do, but also on how we know how to let go of what we’ve done.
The Pope also spoke about the ongoing war and expressed his closeness and prayers for Palestine.
POPE LEO XIV
I express my deep closeness to the Palestinian people of Gaza, who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, once again forcibly displaced from their own land.
Every person has an inviolable dignity that must always be respected and protected. I renew my call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, a negotiated diplomatic solution, and full respect for international humanitarian law.
At the end of the audience, the Pope gave his blessing to those present, especially to the children, the elderly, and the sick.
VL
