Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Square to mark the Jubilee of Catechists, offering heartfelt praise for those who dedicate themselves to guiding others on their journey of faith. The Pope emphasized that catechists are not just teachers of doctrine, but companions who walk with believers from childhood through old age, nurturing faith, hope, and love at every stage of life.
Preaching on the day’s Gospel passage from Luke 16:19–31, the Pope recalled the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. He noted that this same passage had been proclaimed during the Jubilee of Catechists in the Holy Year of Mercy (2016), underscoring its continued relevance. The image of the poor man lying outside the door of the wealthy, uncared for and ignored, remains a stark symbol of global inequality.
“At the doorstep of today’s opulence stands the misery of entire peoples, ravaged by war and exploitation,” Pope Leo declared. “Through the centuries, nothing seems to have changed.” He reminded the faithful that the Gospel assures divine justice: the poor man’s suffering is not eternal, nor is the rich man’s excess without consequence.
The Pope reflected on the words of Abraham in the Gospel, who tells the rich man that the living already has Moses and the Prophets to guide them. “Listening to Moses and the Prophets means remembering God’s commandments and promises, whose providence never abandons anyone,” the Pope said.
He stressed that the Resurrection of Christ is the ultimate truth that saves and transforms. “Everyone’s life can change because Christ rose from the dead,” he said, adding that catechists are vital in proclaiming this truth with conviction and consistency.
Turning to the very word catechist derived from the Greek meaning “to teach aloud, to make resound” the Pope described catechists as people who not only proclaim the word but embody it in their lives. They may be parents, religious educators, or Church ministers, but above all, they are witnesses whose lives inspire belief.
“We have all been taught to believe through the witness of those who believed before us,” Pope Leo said. “From childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood, and even old age, catechists accompany us in our faith, sharing in this lifelong journey.”
He noted that catechists cooperate with the Church’s pastoral mission by listening, serving, and responding to the human longing for justice and truth, which dwells within every conscience.
Pope Leo concluded his homily with a call for catechists to remain deeply rooted in faith so that they may continue helping others on their spiritual path. Citing St. Augustine’s counsel to Deacon Deogratias, he reminded catechists of their mission: “Explain everything in such a way that the one who listens to you, by listening, may believe; by believing, may hope; and by hoping, may love.”
The celebration in St. Peter’s Square thus became more than a commemoration; it was a renewed commissioning of catechists worldwide. For Pope Leo, they stand as essential companions in the Church’s mission men and women who carry the Gospel into homes, schools, parishes, and communities, ensuring that the faith continues to echo across generations.