Vatican City: On June 27th, as the Church marked the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Leo XIV presided over a deeply moving Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, ordaining 32 new priests into the service of God. The occasion, which also coincided with the Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, carried even greater significance this year, as it was observed within the broader context of the Jubilee of Priests.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV urged the newly ordained to remain intimately united with Christ, allowing themselves to be formed continually by the limitless love of God. “Our hope,” he reminded them, “is built on the certainty that the Lord is ever near He does not abandon us.”
The Pope highlighted the special grace of the Jubilee moment, reflecting on how priests have passed through the Holy Door and prayed at the tomb of the Apostle Peter, symbolically immersing their baptismal and priestly identities into the Heart of Christ. This spiritual renewal, he said, was not only for those being ordained but for all who share in the mission of the priesthood.
Reflecting on the day’s first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, Pope Leo likened God's love to that of a vigilant shepherd tirelessly seeking the lost, tending to the wounded, and strengthening the weak. In an era scarred by division and war, the Pope stressed that divine love knows no limits and no exclusions. “There is no room in God’s heart or in ours for hatred or division,” he declared. “We are called to be shaped by that boundless love.”
Drawing from St. Paul’s message in the second reading, the Pope reminded the ordinands that God reconciled humanity to Himself not because we were strong or holy, but while we were still weak and broken. With this truth in mind, he called on the priests to walk the daily path of conversion, guided by the Holy Spirit who dwells within. “God never leaves us,” he said. “But we must choose each day to walk with Him especially through the Eucharist, which is the very heart of Christian life.”
He also highlighted the importance of frequent confession, prayer, reflection on Scripture, and acts of charity all essential practices to keep a priest’s heart closely aligned with Christ.
Turning to the Gospel of the day, Pope Leo reflected on the joy of the shepherd who rejoices when even one lost sheep returns. This, he said, is the joy of God and should be the joy of every priest. “You are called to love with the generous heart of the Father,” he told the new priests, “and to carry within you the hope that none may be lost, that all may encounter Christ and find eternal life in Him.”
Pope Leo emphasized the sacred duty of priests to work for unity within the Church and the world. Recalling the vision he shared at the start of his papacy a Church united in love and reconciliation—he stressed that priests must lead others toward harmony, ensuring no one feels excluded from the Body of Christ.
He concluded this point with a powerful appeal: “Let us be a reconciled people, walking humbly in Christ’s footsteps, our hearts transformed by the love flowing from His Sacred Heart.”
Offering heartfelt guidance to the new priests, Pope Leo gave them four simple yet profound pieces of advice:
Love deeply – Love God and your neighbors with a generous spirit.
Stay rooted in prayer – Be fervent in celebrating the sacraments, especially through adoration of the Eucharist.
Be present to your flock – Offer your time and attention freely and equally to all.
Learn from holy examples – Draw strength and inspiration from the lives of holy priests throughout the Church’s history.
Pope Leo spoke warmly of the unsung heroes of priestly life—those who lived with quiet fidelity and bore great spiritual fruit. He warned against being seduced by the world’s empty images of fame and success. “Do not chase after hollow achievements,” he cautioned. “Instead, be inspired by the faithful who gave everything in humble service to the Lord and His people.”
As he concluded, the Pope entrusted the new priests to the loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he called the Mother of Priests and the Mother of Hope. “May she walk beside you,” he prayed, “guiding your steps each day, helping you to shape your heart to match the Heart of the Good Shepherd.”
Through this moving liturgy and message, Pope Leo XIV called the Church back to the essentials: love, humility, unity, and fidelity. And to the newly ordained, he extended a powerful invitation to live not for self, but entirely for Christ and His people.