Reflecting on Jesus’ teaching after the Beatitudes, Pope Leo XIV said that a true encounter with Christ fills life with meaning, light, and joy, even in moments of discouragement. Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus, he underlined that God the Father knows each person by name and cherishes every individual’s uniqueness, never abandoning anyone.
In his meditation, the Pope noted that after proclaiming the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to those who live them out, affirming that through their witness the world itself is transformed. By embracing these attitudes, he said, the earth is renewed and darkness gives way to light.
Pope Leo explained that authentic joy brings taste and brightness to life’s most difficult moments. This joy, he stressed, is not fleeting emotion but flows from a conscious choice of how to live, how to share the world with others, and how to journey together. Such a way of life is revealed in Jesus through His words, actions, and example.
Meeting Christ, who is humble, gentle, pure of heart, and thirsting for justice, changes a person forever, the Pope said. After such an encounter, life can no longer be empty or colorless. Mercy and peace emerge as powerful forces for healing, reconciliation, and renewal.
Turning to the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Pope Leo highlighted practical steps to confront injustice: feeding the hungry, welcoming the poor and homeless, clothing the naked, and caring for those closest to us. When these acts are lived out, Isaiah promises that light will break forth like dawn and healing will come swiftly.
The Pope reflected on the depth of this image, explaining that light naturally overcomes darkness, while wounds that once caused pain begin to heal. Both dimensions, he said, reveal how faith expressed in action transforms both the world and the human heart.
Pope Leo acknowledged that losing joy and purpose can leave deep wounds. Referring to Jesus’ warning about salt losing its taste, he noted how many people sometimes even we ourselves feel useless, broken, or unseen, as if their light has faded.
Yet, he stressed, the Gospel carries a powerful message of hope: God never rejects us. He knows each person personally and values what makes them unique. By welcoming the Beatitudes and returning to the path of the Gospel, even the deepest wounds can be healed.
The Pope said that simple gestures of openness, care, and attentiveness toward others can restore joy to life. While such actions may seem at odds with the values of the world, they reflect the path Jesus Himself chose.
Recalling Christ’s temptation in the desert, Pope Leo noted that Jesus rejected shortcuts that would have stripped Him of His true identity. Instead, He embraced the path of self-giving love symbolized in the bread broken each Sunday, a quiet sign of life offered for others.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo invited the faithful to remain nourished and enlightened through communion with Jesus. Without seeking attention, he said, believers then become like a city on a hill visible, welcoming, and full of hope a place where humanity longs to find peace.
He ended by asking everyone to entrust their prayers to Mary, the Gate of Heaven, so that all may continue to grow as faithful disciples of her Son.