Vatican City: In a deeply moving liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Leo XIV ordained 32 new priests on June 27, urging them to remain ever close to Christ and to allow their priesthood to be continuously shaped by the boundless love of God. The celebration coincided with the Church’s annual Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, which this year formed part of the Jubilee of Priests an occasion the Pope said carries profound significance for clergy across the world.
“Our hope is firm because we know the Lord walks with us He never abandons us,” the Holy Father affirmed during his homily. He called the priestly vocation a sacred participation in the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection, emphasizing that those who are ordained are entrusted with making that mystery present in the world.
Drawing from the Prophet Ezekiel’s image of a shepherd who cares tenderly for each sheep, the Pope said God’s love remains limitless, even amidst a world torn by division and conflict. “Let yourselves be formed by this love,” he told the new priests, “a love that gathers the wounded, strengthens the weak, and refuses to abandon even one soul.”
He warned against harboring hatred or division, reminding the clergy that their ministry must be marked by reconciliation and unity. “In the eyes of God,” he said, “there is no room for barriers.”
Reflecting on St. Paul’s words in the second reading, Pope Leo highlighted the transforming power of grace. “God reconciled us while we were still sinners,” he noted, calling priests to a daily conversion journey fueled by prayer and the Holy Spirit. “The Eucharist must remain the center of your life,” he added, calling it the wellspring of Christian mission and holiness.
He encouraged the frequent reception of the sacraments especially Confession and spoke of the need to cultivate interior silence, reflect on Scripture, practice charity, and continuously align one’s heart with God’s.
The day’s Gospel from St. Luke, which tells of the shepherd’s joy upon finding a lost sheep, served as a springboard for the Pope to underline the heart of pastoral ministry: a love that seeks, welcomes, and rejoices in the return of even one soul.
“A priest must mirror the Father’s joy,” Pope Leo said, “never content until all have come to know Christ and receive eternal life through Him.” He encouraged the ordinands to be generous with their time and to accompany every member of their flock without bias or exclusion.
Reinforcing the vision of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo emphasized the role of the priest in building unity within the Church. The mission of every priest, he said, is to foster harmony among differences so that no one feels left out. “We need a Church that is united in love,” he declared, recalling his own dream shared at the beginning of his pontificate of a reconciled Church becoming a beacon of hope for the world.
“Let us walk together,” he urged, “renewed and reconciled in the overflowing love of Christ’s Heart, rooted in faith and open to all in charity.”
Turning directly to the 32 new priests, Pope Leo offered simple but heartfelt advice. “Love God and love your people,” he began. “Be devoted in your sacramental ministry and faithful in prayer, especially in silent adoration before the Eucharist.”
He encouraged them to stay close to their communities, giving freely of their time and energy, drawing inspiration from the pierced side of Christ and the example of holy saints. “Serve everyone without favoritism,” he stressed.
The Pope then reminded them that priestly history is rich with heroic and humble figures martyrs, missionaries, and saints who spent their lives in quiet fidelity. “Cherish their legacy,” he urged, “read their stories, study their lives, and allow their zeal to inflame your hearts.”
Rejecting fleeting worldly success, the Holy Father urged priests to look instead to those whose lives were quietly fruitful. “Let their memory live on through your fidelity,” he said.
In conclusion, Pope Leo entrusted the newly ordained priests to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope. “May she guide your steps,” he prayed, “so that day by day, your hearts may become more like the heart of her Son, the eternal Shepherd.”
With a message centered on love, unity, humility, and faithfulness, Pope Leo XIV marked this ordination day as not just a personal milestone for the new priests, but as a profound call for all clergy to return again and again to the heart of Christ, where the true source of their mission and strength lies.