Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV addressed pilgrims from Estonia visiting Rome for the Jubilee, highlighting their ecumenical witness as “the very antithesis of the hatred that was so tragically visible during the Soviet regime’s persecution of the Church.” The Holy Father urged the faithful to pray fervently for peace, warning that the logic of war remains a troubling reality in Europe today.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the pilgrims to draw strength from their visits to Rome’s holy sites, assuring them that their hope in the Lord’s promises would be renewed. “Return home full of joy,” he said, “and be ready to share your faith in the simple ways of daily life, proclaiming the Gospel to all you encounter.”
The Pope acknowledged members of the Estonian Lutheran Church and other non-Catholics present, noting their role in organizing the beatification of Blessed Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, SJ, in Tallinn on September 6. Profittlich, who served as Apostolic Administrator of Estonia during the Soviet occupation, chose to remain with his flock despite repeated calls to leave, ultimately leading to his arrest and martyrdom in 1942. He became the first Estonian Catholic to be beatified.
“Your ecumenical witness, which grows as you journey together on pilgrimage, reflects Blessed Eduard’s own dedication and stands as a powerful counter to the hatred witnessed during the Soviet era,” Pope Leo said. He called on the pilgrims to continue praying for peace, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in Europe.
The Holy Father also recognized two newly ordained priests in the group, calling their vocation a “sign of hope for the Christian community in your land.” He praised Estonia’s Church for its steady growth, noting its elevation to diocesan status last year almost a century after becoming an Apostolic Administration and nearly 500 years after the disappearance of the ancient See of Tallinn.
Pope Leo concluded his address by asking pilgrims to convey his greetings to family and friends, saying, “Tell them that the Pope is praying for them!” He entrusted the Estonian faithful to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all present.