Vatican News: Pope Leo XIV met with pilgrims from the dioceses of Umbria on Saturday, calling on them to carry the message of faith, beauty, and peace into the world. Addressing the faithful gathered for the Jubilee pilgrimage, the Pope highlighted the region’s rich spiritual, artistic, and natural heritage, urging pilgrims to recognize the treasures around them and to become “missionaries of love and peace.”
“This world we live in needs beauty in order not to sink into despair,” the Pope said, quoting Paul VI, as he described Umbria as “a land of saints, mystics, poets, and holy men and women, and a treasure trove of art and nature.” He called the pilgrims “living witnesses” to the harmony of creation and human creativity, noting how Umbrian landscapes, towns, and traditions exemplify centuries of holiness and devotion.
Pope Leo drew special attention to the legacy of young saint Carlo Acutis, recently canonized and laid to rest in Assisi by his own choice. “From this river of goodness, Carlo Acutis drew inspiration and strength,” the Pope said. “His life reminds us that the treasure we have received continues to grow; the vine blossoms and bears fruit, and the good wine continues to ferment and spread its aroma.”
In his reflection, the Holy Father emphasized that beauty is not merely aesthetic but a spiritual bridge connecting generations. Quoting Paul VI, he said, “Beauty is that precious fruit which resists the wear of time, unites generations, and allows them to communicate through admiration.” He encouraged the Umbrian pilgrims to internalize this lesson: “Appreciate it, love it, let it speak to you of God and in turn, become its heralds.”
Concluding his address, Pope Leo invited the pilgrims to live the Eucharist with gratitude, attentiveness, and wonder, before leaving the altar to “carry the message of faith, beauty, and peace to every corner of your communities.” The gathering celebrated both the spiritual vitality of Umbria and the enduring call for the faithful to transform their heritage into a living witness for the world.