Loving as Jesus Loved

Back-to-back Jubilee events for seminarians, bishops, and priests were held in Rome, from 23 to 27 June. Meeting first with seminarians, on Tuesday, 24 June, in a meditation delivered in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV told them they are called to bear witness to Christ’s gratitude, joy, and the tenderness and mercy of His Heart. He encouraged them “to practice a style of welcome and closeness, of generous and selfless service, allowing the Holy Spirit to ‘anoint’ their humanity even before ordination”. The Holy Father emphasized, too, the importance of learning “to love as Jesus loved”. Pope Leo invited them to invoke the Holy Spirit frequently, “so that He may shape in you a docile heart, capable of perceiving God’s presence” in nature, art, literature, music, and science. “Above all”, Pope Leo said, “learn how to listen, as Jesus did, to the often silent cry of the little ones, of the poor and the oppressed, and of the very many people, especially young people, who are searching for meaning in their lives”.

On Wednesday, 25 June, in a Meditation for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV addressed the prelates who had passed through the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica for their Jubilee. “If we are to lead the Churches entrusted to our care,” he said, “we must let ourselves be profoundly renewed by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in order to conform ourselves fully to His Heart and to the mystery of His love”. Recalling the Bull of the 2025 Jubilee — “Hope does not disappoint” — Pope Leo offered a reflection on how Bishops are called to be “witnesses to hope” by their example of lives “firmly grounded in God and completely devoted to the service of the Church”.

Pope Leo went on to highlight various other virtues necessary for a Bishop, focusing especially on the “essential virtues” of pastoral prudence, evangelical poverty, and perfect continence in celibacy. He noted that Bishops must be “firm and decisive in dealing with situations that can cause scandal and with every case of abuse, especially those involving minors, and fully respect the legislation currently in force”. Additionally, he said, Bishops are called “to cultivate the human virtues”, notably those highlighted by the Second Vatican Council, including fairness, sincerity, self-control, patience, the ability to listen and engage in dialogue, and a willingness to serve.

On Thursday, 26 June, as part of the Jubilee of Priests, Pope Leo XIV held an audience with some 1,700 priests, seminarians, and formators at the Conciliazione Auditorium in Rome, for an international meeting titled, “Joyful Priests — I have called you friends”. Pope Leo offered them three insights into priestly formation. The first was that formation is a path of relationship, and this means “being formed in relationship, not just in skills”. The second was that fraternity is a crucial part of priestly life. He encouraged the priests and seminarians to live as brothers and not rivals or isolated individuals. Thirdly, Pope Leo argued that the formation of priests means forming men capable of loving, listening, praying, and serving together. Pope Leo also encouraged all priests “not to be afraid to make bold and liberating proposals” that can inspire young people to hear the call to their vocation.

Before closing the meeting, one priest asked the Pope for a hug before giving him a zucchetto. Pope Leo told the crowds that this one hug would be for them all. He added that even in the most remote and distant mission fields, no one is ever alone. “Always count on God’s grace and my closeness too”, Pope Leo said, “and together we can truly be this voice in the world”.

The Jubilee of priests, bishops, and seminarians concluded on Friday, 27 June, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica. During the liturgy, Pope Leo XIV ordained 32 new priests from various countries.