Vatican City: At the Sunday Angelus in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel of the day and prayed that the Church may always remain “a school of humility” modeled on Christ, as well as “a home where all are welcome,” a place free from rivalry and open to authentic encounter.
Addressing pilgrims and visitors, the Pope drew on the day’s Gospel passage from Luke, where Jesus dined at the home of a Pharisee and observed guests vying for places of honour. The scene, the Pope said, is a reminder that in every culture, the dining table is meant to be a sign of peace, communion, and sharing. Yet, Jesus turned the moment into a lesson about humility and fraternity, urging his listeners to avoid the temptation of self-promotion and competition.
The Pope noted how true encounters are not always easy, as Jesus Himself was watched with suspicion by those bound to rigid interpretations of tradition. Yet, Christ’s attitude at the banquet was marked by respect, simplicity, and openness teaching that humility is not weakness but a way of creating authentic relationships rooted in love and sincerity.
Reflecting further, Pope Leo encouraged Christians to examine themselves when gathered at the Eucharistic table. “The Lord becomes our guest and shows us how He sees us,” he said, warning against the dangers of focusing only on rivalry, recognition, or comparisons with others. Allowing ourselves to be challenged by Christ’s words, he added, is the path to true freedom freedom from self-centeredness.
“Humility,” the Pope emphasized, “is freedom from ourselves. It allows us to see the Kingdom of God as our true horizon and dignity as God’s children as our deepest reality.” By learning to embrace the last place, he explained, believers discover the dignity that God Himself reveals, one that emerges naturally without striving for recognition.
Before leading the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo concluded with an appeal: “Let us pray that the Church may always be a school of humility, a home where all are welcome, where rivalries are laid aside, and where Jesus still speaks to us, teaching us His humility and freedom.” He then invoked Mary, calling her “the Mother of that home” and entrusting the faithful to her intercession.