Pope Leo XIV on Sunday expressed his closeness to the people of Madagascar after two cyclones caused flooding and landslides.
"I pray for the victims, their families, and for all who have suffered serious damage," the pope said after praying the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 15.
Looking ahead to upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in East Asia, Leo said: "May this joyful celebration strengthen family ties and friendships, bring peace to homes and society, and provide an opportunity to look to the future together and to build peace and prosperity for all."
In his reflection before the Marian prayer, the pope focused on the day's Gospel from the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:17-37), saying Jesus "reveals the true meaning of the precepts of the Law of Moses."
"They are not meant to satisfy an external religious need of feeling 'righteous' before God but to bring us into a relationship of love with God and with our brothers and sisters," he said, adding: "The Law is fulfilled precisely by love, which brings its profound meaning and ultimate purpose to completion."
Leo emphasized that "true righteousness consists in love," and he warned against reducing faith to the bare minimum: "The Gospel offers us this valuable teaching: Minimal righteousness is not enough; great love is needed."
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
