Pope Leo XIV has called on Christians to emulate the example of Sts. Peter and Paul in working toward the unity of the Church and of all Christians.
The pontiff's words were delivered during a Mass on June 29 at St. Peter's Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome. During the Mass, Leo also bestowed the pallium — a circular band of lamb's wool worn on the shoulders — on the 35 metropolitan archbishops appointed by the pope the previous year.
Having just concluded a two-day extraordinary consistory of cardinals, which ended on June 27, Leo explained that the example of Peter is an invitation for every Christian to work toward Church unity.
"Moreover, Peter's example is an invitation to every Christian to become a builder of unity," Leo said, "placing God at the center of one's life and drawing close to one's brothers and sisters, attentive to their circumstances and needs. In this way, we learn to live with one another in charity, so that the message might be fully proclaimed."
Referring to the conversion of St. Paul, the pope explained that Paul can teach Christians to choose peace over violence. Quoting a homily by St. Augustine for the feast, he emphasized that God took a "persecutor of the Church and made him a messenger of peace."
"The Apostle to the Gentiles allowed himself to be transformed by the power of God's word, which rescued him from the way of violence and led him onto the path of love."
Addressing the new archbishops present at the ceremony and a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Leo explained the pallium's significance as an expression of the mission of every Christian.
"These bands of white wool adorned with crosses indeed express the commitment of every shepherd — and also of every Christian — to take upon their shoulders the brothers and sisters entrusted to them, like so many lambs of the Lord's flock, and to sacrifice their energy, time, effort, and even their lives for them," Leo said.
In his Angelus address following the Mass, the pope urged the faithful to support his mission by generously donating to the Peter's Pence collection. Peter's Pence is a global initiative that helps fund the pope's activities and the Holy See's charitable works worldwide.
