Albano, Italy: At the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass with the faithful of Albano, offering both thanksgiving and a call to deeper discipleship. Returning to Castel Gandolfo on August 13, the Pope reminded the diocese that every person, in their weakness and dignity alike, is a gift to others.
Speaking within the circular sanctuary that has embraced pilgrims for centuries, Pope Leo reflected on its symbolic architecture. The “Rotonda,” he said, is like being received “into the womb of God.” From the outside, the Church can appear imperfect, even rough. But within, the divine mystery reveals itself: a love that embraces all human struggle, fragility, and poverty with unconditional mercy.
The Pope turned the assembly’s attention to the gift of Sunday, describing it as the weekly reminder of Christ’s victory over death. Even when worshippers enter with fear or anxiety, he said, they quickly discover they are no longer alone once they gather around the Word and the Eucharist.
In his homily, Pope Leo also challenged conventional notions of peace. “The world often confuses peace with comfort,” he said. True peace, as revealed by Christ, is not quiet avoidance of difficulty but a fire that unsettles and renews. Jesus himself warned that divisions may arise even among families and friends, because love demands risk, not complacency.
He explained that Christ’s baptism was the Cross itself – a complete immersion into human suffering, chosen out of love. Likewise, communion at Mass becomes food and strength for believers to choose self-giving love over selfish ease.
The Pope spoke passionately of a “fire of love” that lowers itself to serve, responds to indifference with care, and disarms hatred without weapons. Unlike instruments of war, this flame costs nothing, yet it has the power to transform lives. At times, it may provoke misunderstanding or even persecution, but he assured the faithful that “there is no greater peace than carrying that fire within.”
Expressing gratitude to the Diocese of Albano for its witness of service, Pope Leo urged the faithful to resist dividing people into “servers” and “served.” Every person, he reminded them, is a gift to the other, and together they form a Church of the poor one that lives not by exclusion but by communion.
He called on the diocese to build bridges across political, social, and personal divides, so that the Body of Christ might be revealed in unity. The fire of the Gospel, he said, must burn away prejudices and fears that still marginalize the poor.
In closing, Pope Leo issued a challenge: do not leave Christ at the door of churches, homes, or daily life. Instead, welcome Him in the poor, where His presence is most profoundly revealed. “Only then,” the Pope said, “will we make peace with our own poverty the very poverty we deny when we chase comfort and security at any cost.”