Pope Leo XIV: Holiness of Curial Officials Should Sustain Holy See

Vatican City, June 9, 2025: Pope Leo XIV led employees of the Roman Curia in celebrating the Jubilee of the Holy See on Monday morning at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

The celebration commenced with a meditation delivered by Sister Maria Gloria Riva, a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady. The Holy Father then carried a Jubilee Cross and led a solemn procession of Holy See officials through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Following the procession, Pope Leo presided over a solemn Mass at the Basilica.

In his homily, the Pope reflected on the Marian and Petrine foundations of the Apostolic See, stating that the Marian foundation ensures the fruitfulness and holiness of the Petrine one through her motherhood, a gift of Christ and the Spirit. He also noted that the Jubilee of the Holy See coincided with the liturgical memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, just a day after Pentecost.

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading from St. John, the Pope reminded attendees of Jesus entrusting His mother, Mary, to the Beloved Disciple from the Cross. He added that the Church’s fruitfulness mirrors “the very fruitfulness of Mary”, which is realised in the lives of its members. "Each Christian", he emphasised, "is called to live the love of Jesus, as experienced on the Cross."

Pope Leo XIV stressed that the fruitfulness of Mary and of the Church is inseparably linked to her holiness, that is, her conformity to Christ. He added that the Holy See is "holy" as the Church is "holy". He urged all members of the Holy See, from clergy to lay officials, to actively pursue personal holiness according to their individual vocation and responsibilities.

The Pope acknowledged the personal struggles faced by both clergy and laity who work for the church. At the same time, he pointed to their faithful service as a testament to the Church’s spiritual vitality. Holiness, he noted, is both the core and the safeguard of the Church’s mission.

Reflecting on Mary’s presence with the disciples at Pentecost, Pope Leo XIV described her motherhood towards the nascent Church as “archetypal”, one that remains present in every time and place.” He also connected the Church’s ongoing fruitfulness to the grace that flowed from the pierced Heart of Jesus, along with blood and water, which are “symbols of the Sacraments”.

Pointing to the Apostle Peter, the Pope affirmed that Mother Church sustains the ministry of Peter’s successors through her Marian charism, even as the Pope guides the Church.

In his concluding remarks, Pope Leo XIV invited the officials and employees of the Holy See to let God’s Word be a guiding light in their work. He concluded his homily by invoking a portion of the Collect prayer, asking God to make the Church ever more fruitful in the Spirit and united in holiness.

By Devin Watkins

Courtesy: Vatican News