By Sunny A. David, Awka
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, addressing the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on May 10, 2025, offered a message of compassion and hope to all, particularly those disillusioned with the Church.
In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the pain and anger many feel towards the Church, referencing scandals, abuse of power, and perceived failures. He spoke personally, confessing, “I, too, was angry with God,” referencing the suffering he’s witnessed.
“God doesn’t shout,” he declared, “God whispers. And sometimes He whispers from the mud, from pain, from the acts of selfless love.” The Pope emphasized the reality of faith as a journey fraught with challenges, comparing it to a path strewn with stones, puddles, and unexpected acts of kindness.
He challenged his listeners, saying, “I’m not asking you to believe in everything. I’m asking you not to close the door. Give a chance to the God who waits for you without judgment.”
The Pope highlighted his own conversion through witnessing the quiet strength of a grieving mother. He urged the faithful and those estranged from the Church to come, “with your anger, your doubt, your dirty backpack.
“He emphasized the Church’s mission to embrace all, stating, “This Church, as long as I breathe, will be a home for the homeless, and a rest for the weary.”
Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to understand God’s desire for fellowship over obedience, calling on people to be brothers and sisters in faith.
This message, delivered by Pope Leo XIV, underscores a path toward a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of faith and the Church.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.