Presiding over the solemn celebration of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to reflect deeply on the enduring legacy of the two great Apostles not only as martyrs and evangelists but as living icons of harmony in diversity. The Mass, rich in symbolism, included the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 54 new Metropolitan Archbishops, highlighting their mission of unity with the Bishop of Rome and pastoral service in their provinces.
In his homily, the Pope described Peter and Paul as brothers in the Spirit, who despite their radically different personalities and paths Peter, a humble Galilean fisherman called to preach to the Jews, and Paul, a former persecutor turned evangelizer to the Gentiles were united by a common love for Christ and a shared willingness to die for the Gospel. Their differences, he said, were not erased but embraced and consecrated in their communion, forming what he called a “fruitful harmony in diversity.”
Quoting Saint Augustine, Pope Leo reminded the faithful that although Peter and Paul were martyred on different days, “they were one” a brotherhood not shaped by uniformity but sealed by love and sacrifice. The Pope called this the “concordia apostolorum” a living unity inspired by the Holy Spirit, who gathers varied voices, charisms, and missions into a shared confession of faith.
The pallium, a woolen vestment placed on each archbishop’s shoulders, symbolized not only communion with the See of Rome but also the burden and responsibility of the Good Shepherd to carry the flock with compassion, unity, and faithfulness.
The Pope urged all believers to transform their differences into opportunities for reconciliation and co-responsibility. "Let our communities become workshops of unity,” he said, “where diverse histories and perspectives walk side by side under the light of the Gospel.” He reminded them that the Church thrives not in sameness, but in communion grounded in the love of Christ and mutual trust.
In the second part of his homily, Pope Leo XIV turned to the vitality of faith. Reflecting on Jesus’ timeless question from the Gospel “But who do you say that I am?” he warned against falling into pastoral stagnation, where routines take over and the Gospel loses its fire. The Pope emphasized that true evangelization begins with questions that touch real lives, and it calls for interior renewal, courage, and listening hearts.
The Church of Rome, he said, has a special calling to be a sign of unity and communion a place of vibrant faith, joyful witness, and Gospel consolation. The vitality of Peter and Paul’s witness, he continued, is a call for today’s Church to rediscover the energy and freshness of first love for Christ, even in the face of complexity and change.
Addressing the archbishops who received the pallium, Pope Leo expressed deep hope that they would embody the spirit of unity and pastoral care entrusted to them, and build bridges of communion within their own dioceses and with the universal Church. Each was welcomed with a personal gesture, as the Pope placed the pallium on their shoulders and offered words of encouragement.
The celebration was also marked by the presence of the Delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, led by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, as a gesture of fraternity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The Pope warmly thanked the delegation and renewed his prayer for Christian unity. He also acknowledged the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, praying for peace for the Ukrainian people and the endurance of their faithful.
Concluding, Pope Leo invoked the powerful intercession of Saints Peter and Paul for the Church in Rome, for the entire Catholic communion, and for a world still aching from division and war. “May we continue walking together,” he prayed, “in faith, forgiveness, and communion so that the Church may always be a radiant sign of the Gospel in every land.”