Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has reminded the faithful that holiness is not limited to a select group but is a calling for every baptized person, urging Christians to live a life of love, faith and daily commitment.
Speaking during his weekly General Audience at the Vatican, Pope continued his reflections on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the Church document Lumen gentium. He explained that the document highlights the universal call to holiness, stressing that all believers are invited to grow in God’s grace and imitate Christ in their daily lives.
Pope said that holiness is a gift from God that becomes visible through simple, everyday actions when people respond with joy and dedication. He noted that the highest example of holiness is martyrdom, describing it as the ultimate witness of faith and love. However, he added that even small acts of faith and kindness in society reflect this calling.
He also underlined the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, as spiritual nourishment that helps believers grow closer to Christ. Holiness, he said, is not just about moral effort but about an inner transformation guided by the Holy Spirit.
Recalling the teachings of Pope Paul VI, Pope Leo said the Church becomes authentic when its members strive to live as faithful and strong children of God. He acknowledged the reality of sin within the Church but called on believers to renew their lives through conversion and trust in God’s grace.
Pope also highlighted the witness of those who dedicate their lives to God through poverty, chastity and obedience. He described these not as restrictions but as liberating gifts that reflect deep trust in God and a life fully given in love.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo said that no human experience is beyond God’s redeeming power. Even suffering, when united with Christ, can become a path to holiness. He encouraged the faithful to see holiness not as a distant goal but as a daily journey toward a closer relationship with God.