Pope in San Marino: Respond to conflict by following Gospel

By Christopher Wells

During his visit to San Marino on August 22, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the legacy of Saints Marinus and Leo, the founders of the Republic.

As laymen and stonemasons—who were only later called to ordained ministry—“they knew how to translate the Gospel message into a new communal and political model strongly characterized by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect, and communion.”

Pope to youth: Open your hearts to the infinite

The Holy Father began his address to the ecclesial community of San Marino with an invitation to young people to open their hearts to the infinite, rather than being satisfied with “partial, immediate answers.” This, he said, can lead them to an encounter with God, who can help them leave their mark on history.

Pope Leo went on to invite all those present to enthusiastically embrace the mission given them by God, and to have the courage to make demanding choices, such as marriage, consecrated life, ordained ministry, a career, or political and social engagement. He called them to prepare as best they can so that they would be able to bear witness “to a peace that speaks to the world”, the motto of his journey.

Educating children in Christian values

After thanking priests, cathechists, and other teachers for their work in supporting parents—who, he noted, were the primary teachers of their children—the Pope said that a “wise pastoral approach” to education involves parents in such a way that their own faith would be renewed and they would have “the joy” of passing on their Christian values to their children.”

In particular, he called on them to foster baptismal and sacramental life, and to “carefully cultivate” liturgy as an experience of unity.

Responding to conflict by following the Gospel with greater conviction

Pope Leo insisted that Jesus is the definitive answer to the questions of the meaning of life, and that the Gospel is the “path of freedom” for all men and women. As such, it is a gift we can give to all those we meet. And it is why Christians practice charity in all its diverse forms, but always aimed at “the ultimate and integral good of the people to whom we offer our support.”

In a world marked by conflict, he said, “our response can only be to walk with even greater conviction on the path of the Gospel”.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by once again recalling the importance of communion in order to overcome individualism and “distrustful and divisive parochialism,” and “to breathe new life into our hopes for fraternity and peace.”

This, he said, is a part both of the legacy of Saints Marinus and Leo, and of “our mission to continue with perseverance and dedication to build upon what they began.”