Pope Leo XIV Convenes His August 20th Regular Gathering with the Faithful
On August 20, 2025, Pope Leo XIV addressed a gathered audience in Paul VI Hall, Vatican City. The occasion marked a memorable moment as the Holy Father delved into the powerful message of forgiveness and love, drawing from the Last Supper and the gesture of Jesus offering a morsel to the one who would betray him.
Jesus' act, Pope Leo XIV explained, symbolises God's relentless pursuit of us, even when we may reject Him. It is a demonstration of love's last attempt not to give up, a testament to the enduring power of forgiveness.
The Pope emphasised that forgiveness is not forgetfulness or weakness, but the ability to set the other free while loving them to the end. This powerful manifestation of hope, he said, is a key to building bridges of peace and healing in our world today, a world that desperately needs peace, a peace that only Jesus Christ can give us.
In light of this, Pope Leo XIV called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace and justice, invoking Mary as Queen of Peace. He also invited the faithful to implore the Lord to dry the tears of those suffering from ongoing armed conflicts and to teach us the importance of learning to forgive one another.
The Pope's address during the Jubilee of Hope was not limited to the Paul VI Hall. He extended his impromptu greetings to the faithful in the Petrine courtyard and Saint Peter's Basilica, discussing the significance of forgiveness and the importance of building bridges of peace.
The Pope's message resonated deeply with the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors from various countries who were present. As the memorial of Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary approached next Friday, August 22, Pope Leo XIV prayed for healing and spiritual renewal for all.
In his address, the Pope also underscored that forgiveness is a sign of love, especially of God's love for us all. Jesus' love, he said, does not deny the truth of pain but prevents evil from having the last word. Every betrayal, every rejection, every disappointment can become an opportunity for salvation, if chosen as a space for a greater love.
In essence, Pope Leo XIV's message was a call to love, to forgive, and to build bridges of peace. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love can triumph, and hope can prevail.
