At his General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflects on his recent visit to France, saying âThe trip was a gift, not only for the people of France, but also for me.â
âThe motto of the journey was that the world may have life, and these words characterise the gospel centred nature of my meetings throughout the visit.
For God alone, through His grace, can restore the Church and renew humanity, and it was evident to me that this is precisely what is occurring in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
Just as Notre Dame Cathedral was restored, so too is the Church in France being renewed. This is particularly noticeable in the enthusiasm of the young people and the increased number of baptisms.
I was especially pleased to make my pilgrimage to Lourdes in order to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to ask for her continued intercession for her children, not only in France, but throughout the world.
May we learn from her how to establish a civilisation of love that upholds human dignity and is marked by lasting peace. Please join me as I continue to entrust the people of France to the Lord in prayer.â
Pope Leo XIV holding back the tears at the conclusion of Mass in Metz, his last public engagement of his incredibly successful Apostolic Journey to France.
On his return flight from France, Pope Leo XIV is asked about the steady decline of Catholic Church in Germany and the astonishing rise of both the extremist Left and Far Right in Germany.
On the former the Pope says: "The phrase you said the Church is dying in Germany, or the diminishing numbers. People have said that about France in the past and yet we saw what happened over the past four days. I believe that if we find the true missionary spirit and the right way to go about it, there are still many, many people in Germany who want to live and celebrate their Christian and Catholic faith."
On the latter: "we go back to the values of the Gospel, which are not about hatred and division, but they're about understanding and compassion and accompanying. I hope deeply, and hopefully the Church can also be a part of thisâthat we can find ways of reaching out to a majority of people of goodwill who will understand how important that their commitment, even in terms of participating in political processes, will enable them to make clear choices for the common good and not for extremist ideas that perhaps will do much more damage than we are even aware of right now."
đâ BEAUTIFUL: How amazing that a Syriac hymn opened the âArmy of Saintsâ ceremony before Pope Leo and 80,000 young people in France. đ«đ·âïž
A tradition still alive in the Maronite Church, heard as actors portrayed the saints of France.
A moving reminder that Christianityâs roots are in the Eastâand that this heritage belongs to the whole Church. đ±đ§
Beautifully sung by Helena Alamil
đ„ @Easternchristns