Genazzano: Pope Leo XIV has called Christians to cultivate peace within themselves so that it can grow and spread into the world, as he celebrated Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, southeast of Rome.
The Pope returned to the Augustinian shrine on Monday evening to celebrate the Vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During his homily, he invited believers to reflect on Mary's quiet presence and her example of listening, contemplation and service.
“Let us allow peace to grow within us,” Pope Leo said. “It will blossom in the world.”
The Pope recalled his close connection with the shrine, which he first visited as a young student in Rome in the early 1980s. He later returned during his years as Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Bishop of Chiclayo and Cardinal.
Pope Leo said that shortly after his election in May 2025, he had felt a strong desire to return to the sanctuary. His first visit as Pope took place on May 10, 2025, just two days after his election.
During his latest visit, he again entrusted to Mary what is still being born within humanity, describing it as fragile but also as a sign of God's faithfulness.
In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on the limited information Scripture gives about Mary's birth, childhood and daily life. Drawing on the writings of St Thomas of Villanova, an Augustinian friar and bishop, he noted that the Evangelists provide much more detail about figures such as John the Baptist and the Apostles.
The Pope said Mary's silence should not be understood as an absence of importance. Instead, her quiet presence shows how God can work through simplicity and hidden strength.
Reflecting on the Gospel account, he said Mary's presence, together with Christ within her, changed the course of events and influenced Joseph's expectations, decisions and actions.
“In Mary, salvation finds a home: God with us,” he said.
Pope Leo also reflected on the meaning of Mary's birth. Although Christians give her titles such as Lady and Queen, he said God's way remains simple and quiet while still being powerful and transformative.
He connected this with the life of Jesus Christ, saying that God chose humble circumstances and humble people to reveal the nature of his Kingdom. In that Kingdom, he said, arrogance has no place, while true power is expressed through creation, service and care for life.
The Pope then turned to contemplative prayer. Referring again to St Thomas of Villanova, he said believers are invited to form an inner understanding of Mary even though Scripture does not provide a detailed account of her life.
Such contemplation, Pope Leo explained, allows Christians to recognise realities that may not yet be visible but are already taking shape. He stressed that this vision is “not fantasy, but prophecy” and said it is especially important during times of destruction and uncertainty.
From this reflection on Mary, the Pope moved to the question of peace. Referring to the prophet Micah's vision of Bethlehem as the birthplace of a king of peace, he encouraged Christians to recognise peace as a gift from God and something they are called to receive and serve.
He described peace as “the gift of God, the breath of the Risen One, the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Pope Leo said Christians should broaden their understanding of peace and allow it to take shape within them so that they can recognise, welcome and serve it in the world.
He concluded by entrusting this mission to Mary, saying that the Mother of Good Counsel would accompany believers as they seek to cultivate peace.
The shrine in Genazzano has a particularly strong connection with Pope Leo and the Augustinian Order. His Augustinian Province of Chicago is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel, while the shrine itself has been entrusted to the Augustinians since the 14th century.
According to tradition, an image of the Virgin Mary appeared on a wall of the church on April 25, 1467, while the church was still under construction. Two Albanian pilgrims later recognised the image as the one venerated in Shkodër, Albania, which had disappeared from its original location.
The image has drawn generations of pilgrims and several Popes, including Urban VIII, Pius IX, John XXIII and John Paul II.
During Pope Leo's September 7 visit, a new painting showing him praying before Our Lady of Good Counsel was also unveiled at the shrine, continuing the long connection between the sanctuary and the Church's pastoral tradition.