CNA Newsroom, 31 May, 2025 / 6:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Leo XIV ordained 11 new priests for the Diocese of Rome on Saturday during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, urging them to live lives that are “transparent, visible, credible” in service to God’s people.
The ordination Mass brought together seminarians from both the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
The pope described it as a moment of “great joy for the Church” and a sign that “God has not grown tired of gathering His children.”
Pope Leo XIV lays hands on one of 11 men during priestly ordinations at St. Peter's Basilica on May 31, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV: Priests must be credible witnesses
Advertisement
In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on St. Paul’s words to the community in Ephesus: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,” pointing to the necessity of credibility in priestly life.
“We live among the people of God so that we may stand before them with a credible witness,” the pope said. “Together, we rebuild the credibility of a wounded Church, sent to a wounded humanity, within a wounded creation.”
The pope cautioned the ordinands against clerical self-isolation or entitlement.
“Pope Francis has warned us many times about this, because self-referentiality extinguishes the fire of mission.”
A newly ordained priest prays during the ordination Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter's Basilica on May 31, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Leo emphasized that the priesthood is not about authority but stewardship: “Not masters, but guardians,” he said. “The mission belongs to Jesus. He is risen, and He goes before us. None of us is called to replace Him.”
The pope concluded his homily by reflecting on the Church’s mission of reconciliation in a broken world. “Together, then, we will rebuild the credibility of a wounded Church, sent to a wounded humanity, within a wounded creation,” he said.
“It does not matter to be perfect, but it is necessary to be credible.” Drawing on the image of the Risen Christ showing his wounds, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that even signs of rejection become sources of forgiveness and hope, making priests “ministers of hope” who view everything “under the sign of reconciliation.”
In his final words, the pontiff spoke of priestly service as participation in Christ’s love for the world. “The love of Christ indeed possesses us,” he said, describing this as “a possession that liberates and enables us not to possess anyone.”
Leo thanked the newly ordained for dedicating their lives to serve “a wholly priestly people” and invoked the intercession of Mary, whom he called “Our Lady of Trust and Mother of Hope,” asking her to pray for the Church’s mission to “unite heaven and earth.”
AC Wimmer is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.
Our mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
