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Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope at lunch with the poor: We are God's most beautiful creation
Before sharing a lunch with the poor supported by Caritas Albano in the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas, the Pope explained that each one of us is made in the image of God, and that 'we can find God's presence in everyone.' Aug 18, 2025 Pope Leo XIV greets the guests before lunch at the Borgo Laudato Si', in the gardens of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo (@Vatican Media) By Alessandro Di BussoloAmid the beauty of nature and creation in the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo and beneath the large gazebo set up for the lunch with the poor, Pope Leo XIV, speaking off the cuff, invited everyone to reflect on the fact that 'the most beautiful of all creation is that which was made in God's image—that is, each one of us.' Each person, he said, reflects that image of God. It is essential that we always remember this truth: we can encounter God's presence in every individual. And so, even this afternoon's gathering for lunch—organized by the Borgo Laudato Si' and the Diocese of Albano Laziale—is an experience of communion, of fraternity, of being together with God. Breaking bread and sharing the Lord's gifts Looking out at the more than one hundred guests—poor and vulnerable people supported by the diocesan Caritas of Albano, including residents of shelters and group homes, the homeless, and those supported by listening centers—the Pope spoke of the deep meaning behind 'breaking bread together, a gesture that for us all is deeply significant: the act through which we recognize Jesus Christ present among us.' He continued: 'It is the Holy Mass—but it is also all of us gathered around the table, sharing the gifts the Lord has given us.' Before the meal, Pope Leo asked for God's blessing 'upon the gifts we are about to receive,' upon all 'who worked to prepare this meal for us,' and for those who made this celebration possible. He ended by praying: 'Help us, Lord, to always live united in Your love.' Cardinal Baggio: The Borgo Laudato Si' opens its doors to those in need In his remarks to the Pope and those present, Cardinal Fabio Baggio—Director General of the Laudato Si' Center for Advanced Formation and Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development—emphasized: 'Today we witness the fulfillment of Pope Francis' prophetic dream: the Borgo Laudato Si' is not merely a place, but a way of living the Gospel that first and foremost opens its doors to those in need—to the poor, to the excluded.' Before speeches or inaugurations, he said, comes fraternal sharing, because 'Gospel hospitality begins with the poor.' He also noted: 'There can be no authentic ecology without social justice. This is the great teaching of Laudato Si' and of the Church's Social Doctrine. Christian charity fulfills and surpasses justice, transforming it into tangible love.' Bishop Viva: The beauty of the Gospel made concrete Before the meal, Bishop Vincenzo Viva of Albano also offered words of welcome, presenting the guests to Pope Leo XIV: 'In the faces of those seated at these tables today, we see the beauty of the Gospel made concrete—living testimony of who we are as the Church of Albano.' He added: 'There is no 'us' and 'them,' no benefactors and beneficiaries: there are only people sharing bread—and with it, their stories, their struggles, and their hopes.'--Vatican News
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Korea Herald
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for homeless people
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) — Pope Leo XIV spent the last Sunday of his summer vacation with several dozen refugees, homeless and poor people and the church volunteers who help them, celebrating a special Mass for them and inviting them into the Vatican's lakeside estate for a lunch of lasagna and roast veal. Welcoming them for the luncheon, Leo said he was happy to "break bread" with them "in such a beautiful place that reminds us of the beauty of nature, of creation, but also makes us think that the most beautiful creature is the one created in the likeness, in the image of God, which is all of us." The guests included around 110 people cared for by the local Caritas church charity, and the volunteers who run the diocese's shelters, clinics and social service offices. Many had attended Mass with him in the nearby St. Mary sanctuary of Albano. In his homily, Leo celebrated the "fire of charity" that had brought them together. "And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help," he said. In the church, he said, everyone is poor and precious, and all share the same dignity. Leo, the former Robert Prevost, spent most of his adult life working with the poor people of Peru, first as an Augustinian missionary and then as bishop. Former parishioners and church workers say he greatly reinforced the work of the local Caritas charity, opening soup kitchens and shelters for migrants and rallying funds to build oxygen plants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The luncheon was held at the Borgo Laudato Si', the Vatican's environmental educational center in the gardens of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. The center is named for Pope Francis' 2015 landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). Local caterers provided a menu of lasagna, eggplant parmesan and roast veal. For dessert, the menu called for fruit salad and sweets named for the pope, "Dolce Leone." Guests at Leo's table included Rosabal Leon, a Peruvian refugee who has been in Italy for a few months, along with her husband and two children. One of his other luncheon companions was an 85-year-old Roman, Gabriella Oliveiro, who lives on her own, organizers said. Leo is expected to wrap up his vacation Tuesday and return to the Vatican, but there are indications he plans to use the Castel Gandolfo retreat regularly as an escape from Rome, resuming the tradition that Pope Francis had eschewed in favor of staycations at the Vatican. Leo's older brother, John Prevost, told NBC's Chicago affiliate that the pope found the getaway relaxing and had actually hoped to read a book during his vacation — the pope likes legal thrillers — but hadn't found the time. He did, however, make use of the estate's tennis court and swimming pool, he said. Prevost, who speaks daily with the pope to compare notes on the New York Times daily Wordle puzzle, said he understood the thing Leo missed most about being pope was not being able to drive. "Driving to him is totally relaxing," Prevost said, adding that when they were together, his little brother would always insist on driving himself. "Absolutely, because otherwise then he would criticize my driving," Prevost said, chuckling.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Pope celebrates Mass for local homeless people and invites them to lunch
Leo celebrated Mass in the St Mary sanctuary of Albano, near the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo where he is on holiday. The Mass was attended by around 110 people cared for by the local Caritas church charity, and the volunteers who run the diocese's shelters, clinics and social service offices. In his homily, Leo celebrated the 'fire of charity' that had brought them together. 'And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help,' he said. In the church, he said, everyone is poor and precious, and all share the same dignity. Leo, the former Robert Prevost, spent most of his adult life working with the poor people of Peru, first as an Augustinian missionary and then as bishop. Former parishioners and church workers say he greatly reinforced the work of the local Caritas charity, opening soup kitchens and shelters for migrants and rallying funds to build oxygen plants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Later on Sunday, Leo was to preside over a luncheon with the guests at the Borgo Laudato Si', the Vatican's environmental educational centre in the gardens of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. The centre is named for Pope Francis' 2015 landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). According to the Albano diocese, local caterers were providing a menu of lasagne, eggplant parmesan and roast veal. For dessert, the menu called for fruit salad and sweets named for the pope, 'Dolce Leone'.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Pope celebrates Mass for local homeless people and invites them to lunch
Leo celebrated Mass in the St Mary sanctuary of Albano, near the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo where he is on holiday. The Mass was attended by around 110 people cared for by the local Caritas church charity, and the volunteers who run the diocese's shelters, clinics and social service offices. In his homily, Leo celebrated the 'fire of charity' that had brought them together. 'And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help,' he said. In the church, he said, everyone is poor and precious, and all share the same dignity. Leo, the former Robert Prevost, spent most of his adult life working with the poor people of Peru, first as an Augustinian missionary and then as bishop. Former parishioners and church workers say he greatly reinforced the work of the local Caritas charity, opening soup kitchens and shelters for migrants and rallying funds to build oxygen plants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Later on Sunday, Leo was to preside over a luncheon with the guests at the Borgo Laudato Si', the Vatican's environmental educational centre in the gardens of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. The centre is named for Pope Francis' 2015 landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). According to the Albano diocese, local caterers were providing a menu of lasagne, eggplant parmesan and roast veal. For dessert, the menu called for fruit salad and sweets named for the pope, 'Dolce Leone'.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Pope celebrates Mass for local homeless people and invites them to lunch
Leo celebrated Mass in the St Mary sanctuary of Albano, near the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo where he is on holiday. The Mass was attended by around 110 people cared for by the local Caritas church charity, and the volunteers who run the diocese's shelters, clinics and social service offices. In his homily, Leo celebrated the 'fire of charity' that had brought them together. 'And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help,' he said. In the church, he said, everyone is poor and precious, and all share the same dignity. Leo, the former Robert Prevost, spent most of his adult life working with the poor people of Peru, first as an Augustinian missionary and then as bishop. Former parishioners and church workers say he greatly reinforced the work of the local Caritas charity, opening soup kitchens and shelters for migrants and rallying funds to build oxygen plants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Later on Sunday, Leo was to preside over a luncheon with the guests at the Borgo Laudato Si', the Vatican's environmental educational centre in the gardens of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. The centre is named for Pope Francis' 2015 landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). According to the Albano diocese, local caterers were providing a menu of lasagne, eggplant parmesan and roast veal. For dessert, the menu called for fruit salad and sweets named for the pope, 'Dolce Leone'.
