Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on the Church to help people reflect on the deepest questions of human life, including where they come from, where they are going, and the meaning of love and suffering.
Speaking during the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued his reflections on the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes. He said the Church’s mission in the contemporary world is not limited to religious matters, but also involves helping people look beyond a lifestyle increasingly focused on the consumption of material goods.
Pope Leo said human beings are called to look beyond material concerns and consider the deeper purpose of their lives. The Church seeks to accompany people in questions about human existence and to point them towards the meaning of life in the light of the Gospel.
The Pope also stressed that the Church has a role in contributing to the building of the earthly city. He said this is achieved not mainly through political action, but through witness to faith and charity, along with efforts to promote justice, peace and fraternity.
He warned that the Church cannot remain silent in the face of the oppression of vulnerable people and the poor or structures that continue conditions of dependence and injustice. Guided by Church teaching, Christians are called to work together with all people of good will for the common good.
Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of consistency between Christian faith and everyday life. Referring to the teaching of Gaudium et spes, he said the gap between what Christians profess and how they live represents one of the serious problems of the present age.
Particular attention was given to the mission of the lay faithful. The Pope said lay Christians are called to bring Gospel values into every area of life, including their families, workplaces and wider society.
He further called on the whole People of God, especially pastors and theologians, to examine contemporary cultures in the light of the Word of God and the Tradition of the Church. Such discernment, he said, requires a balanced approach that is not controlled by changing cultural trends.
At the same time, Pope Leo encouraged Christians to view the world positively while remaining faithful to the fullness of the Gospel. He stressed that the Church must not weaken or soften the demands of its message.
Concluding his catechesis, the Pope said the Church’s mission of advancing the Kingdom of God and working for the salvation of humanity is fulfilled above all through personal holiness and fraternal love.
He urged Christians to remain open to the action of the Holy Spirit so that they may live with holiness and charity and help the world discover reasons for faith and hope.