- 16 July, 2025
Castel Gandolfo, July 16, 2025 – Celebrating Mass at the Carabinieri headquarters in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV offered a message of hope and conviction, urging the faithful never to believe that evil can triumph, even in the face of injustice. The Mass was held in the chapel of the Villa dei Gesuiti, where the Pope also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Italian Carabinieri for their continued efforts to safeguard pilgrims and ensure public order during the Jubilee Year in Rome.
The Carabinieri headquarters, housed in the Jesuit-owned villa leased by the Holy See, hosted several dignitaries at the liturgy, including Italy’s Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, the General Commander of the Carabinieri, Salvatore Luongo, and Archbishop Gian Franco Saba, who oversees pastoral care for Italy’s military. The Pope’s presence was part of his ongoing summer retreat in the scenic hill town, a tradition that underscores his closeness to the people and those serving on the front lines of public security.
Mary as the First Disciple
In his homily, Pope Leo focused on the Christian greeting of “brother and sister,” which he said represent relationships repeated as signs of closeness and affection in the liturgy. “We are all truly brothers and sisters of Jesus when we do the will of God, that is, when we live by loving one another as God has loved us,” he said.
Every relationship, continued the Pope, becomes a gift in Jesus, since He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts when we love one another. “God’s love is so great,” he said, “that Jesus does not keep even His mother for Himself, entrusting Mary as our mother at the hour of the cross.” The Pope noted that Mary is considered the first disciple because she first welcomed the word of God into her heart with love and faithfulness.
Fidelity in times of trial
He recalled that the Carabinieri recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the Faithful Virgin (Virgo Fidelis) as Patroness of the Carabinieri Corps.
In the wake of the Second World War, the Carabinieri looked to Mary’s faithfulness as a model of every officer’s fidelity to the Italian people and nation, said the Pope.
Pope Leo then expressed his gratitude to the Carabinieri for their “noble and demanding service” to the Italian people and for protecting the millions of pilgrims visiting Rome.
“In the face of injustices that wound the social order, do not yield to the temptation to think that evil can prevail,” he said. “Especially in this time of wars and violence, remain faithful to your oath: as servants of the State, answer crime with the force of law and honesty.”
Visit to Poor Clares’ Convent in Albano
After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV made a brief visit to the Immaculate Conception Convent of the Poor Clares in Albano, where he took a moment to pray with the cloistered nuns in the chapel.
He then greeted the religious sisters and spoke with them in the chapter hall. “It is good that the Church knows your life,” for it is a precious testimony, said Pope Leo, before gifting them a chalice and paten and returning to Castel Gandolfo.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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