Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV offered a heartfelt message to a group of Russian pilgrims visiting Rome, urging them to see themselves as “living stones” in the grand spiritual edifice of the Church. Meeting the group at the Vatican, the Holy Father expressed deep appreciation for their pilgrimage a symbol, he said, of humanity’s ongoing search for meaning and faith.
The Pope described their journey as a continuation of a centuries-old tradition of believers who travel to Rome, “where the heart of the Christian soul beats.” He reminded them that beyond the city’s monuments, churches, and sacred art, it is the faith alive in the hearts of believers that truly makes Rome a spiritual center for the world. “The city itself becomes a symbol of human life,” Pope Leo observed, “where the ruins of past experiences are woven together with the living faith that takes shape in daily acts of charity and a hope that does not disappoint.”
Reflecting on the symbolism of Rome’s ancient stones, Pope Leo compared the Christian community to a spiritual building sustained by countless believers across generations. “In Baptism,” he said, “we become living stones, built together into a spiritual house. Every stone, even the smallest one, placed by the Lord in the right place, is vital for the stability of the whole.”
The Pope encouraged the pilgrims to recognize the importance of each individual’s role in the Church, regardless of their position or prominence. “No one is insignificant in God’s plan,” he said. “Together we form the living architecture of faith, bound by the mortar of love and service.”
As the group’s journey neared its end, Pope Leo urged them not to let their spiritual fervor fade once they return home. “Your pilgrimage does not end here,” he told them. “You are responsible for your communities, for bearing one another’s burdens, and for sustaining the flame of faith.”
He called upon families, parishes, and local Church communities in Russia to embody Christian values through love, fraternity, and mutual respect. Such witness, he said, could “rekindle the fire of faith and warm even the coldest hearts.”
Recalling an event from the previous year, Pope Leo mentioned that Pope Francis had blessed the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani and gifted it to the Catholic Church in Russia as a sign of spiritual unity and renewal for the Holy Year. Pope Leo expressed his hope that as the icon travels across the dioceses of Russia, it may bring consolation and healing especially to those who are sick, suffering, or burdened by life’s trials.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV reminded the pilgrims that the Church thrives not in grand edifices alone, but in the faith, compassion, and perseverance of its people. “Be living stones,” he said, “firm in faith, radiant in hope, and steadfast in love. For in you, the Church continues to be built.”