"We Are Christ’s Church, Called to Walk Joyfully with Him"

Vatican City, November 9, 2025 — During his weekly Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that Christ Himself is the true sanctuary of God, the sole mediator of salvation, and the Redeemer who opens the way to the Father through His love and unity with humanity.

Speaking on the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope reflected on the Church’s mission as the body of Christ, whose members are called to spread the Gospel of mercy, consolation, and peace throughout the world. “We are the Church of Christ, His body,” he said. “His members are called to spread His Gospel through the spiritual worship that must shine forth above all in our witness of life.”

Pope Leo emphasised that the feast invites the faithful “to contemplate the mystery of unity and communion with the Church of Rome,” called to be the mother who nurtures the faith of Christians around the world.

He acknowledged the “extraordinary historical, artistic, and religious value” of the Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of Peter’s successor. Yet, he said its greatest significance lies in being a symbol of the faith entrusted to the Apostles and handed down through generations.

Observing the artistic splendour of the basilica, particularly its twelve large statues of the Apostles, the Pope urged the faithful to go beyond external appearances. “This helps us understand that the mystery of the Church is much more than a physical structure; it is a living community built of spiritual stones,” he explained.

Referring to the Gospel passage recounting Jesus cleansing the Temple, Pope Leo highlighted that “the true sanctuary of God is Christ who died and rose again.” He described Christ as “the only mediator of salvation, the only Redeemer, the One who, by uniting Himself with our humanity and transforming us with His love, represents the door that opens wide for us and leads to the Father.”

“United with Him,” the Pope continued, “we too are living stones of this spiritual edifice — the Church of Christ, His body — called to spread His message of mercy and Gospel witness through our lives.”

Encouraging believers to rejoice in their calling, Pope Leo said, “We must train our hearts to have this spiritual outlook and walk in the joy of being God’s holy people.”

He also lamented that “frailties and mistakes of Christians, along with clichés and prejudices, often prevent us from grasping the richness of the mystery of the Church.” Quoting Benedict XVI’s Introduction to Christianity, the Pope clarified that the Church’s holiness “is not dependent on our merits but on the gift of the Lord, never retracted, who continues to choose the vessel of His presence with paradoxical love.”

Concluding his address, Pope Leo prayed, “Let us walk in the joy of being the holy people God has chosen. Let us invoke Mary, Mother of the Church, to help us welcome Christ and accompany us with her intercession.”

Courtesy: Vatican News

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