What the Pope Said This Week

Jason Scott’s weekly review of Pope Leo XIV’s audiences – 

On 2 November, marking the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, Pope Leo XIV used the Angelus and a Mass at Rome’s Verano Cemetery to reflect on death, memory and hope. He reminded the faithful that the Resurrection of Christ gives meaning to our desire for eternity:

“In these first days of November, the resurrection of the crucified Jesus from the dead sheds light on the destiny of each one of us. … Today is a day that challenges the human memory, so precious and yet so fragile.”

He urged Christians to move from nostalgia or fear into hope:

“Without the memory of Jesus — of his life, death and resurrection — the immense treasure of daily life risks being forgotten.”

His words challenged us not to commemorate the past alone, but to witness the future that awaits all in Christ.

On Monday morning, Pope Leo presided over Holy Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra in St Peter’s Basilica in memory of the late Pope Francis and the Cardinals and Bishops who died during the year.

Reflecting on the Gospel of the Emmaus disciples, he said:

“Christ alone has the words of eternal life … these words have the power to rekindle faith and hope in our hearts.”

He reminded the faithful that death is transformed in Christ:

“The love of the Crucified and Risen Christ has transfigured our death: He has turned it from an enemy into a sister, he has tamed it.”

The liturgy underscored the Jubilee theme: Christian hope is alive, even in the face of death.

On Wednesday, Pope Leo resumed his Jubilee catechesis under the theme “Jesus Christ our Hope”. He spoke of human longing, success deferred and the deep thirst that only Christ quenches:

“The Pasch of Jesus is an event that does not belong to a distant past … The Paschal proclamation is the most beautiful, joyful and overwhelming news that has ever resounded in all of history.”

He invited believers to see in Christ’s rising not only comfort for suffering, but the “lodestar” guiding chaotic lives:

“Hour by hour … the human heart longs for fullness, a profound happiness … in Him we have the assurance of always being able to find the lodestar towards which we can direct our seemingly chaotic lives.”

His message links personal ache and global upheaval with the single truth of Easter.

On Thursday, Pope Leo addressed the General Chapters of the Religious of Jesus and Mary and the Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo. He stressed that fidelity flows from encounter:

“In Saint Luke … we see Jesus joining the disciples of Emmaus … In Ruth … we see the young Moabite woman … following her mother-in-law to a foreign land … The secret of such fidelity is found in their encounter with the Risen Jesus. That is where it all began for them and also for you.”

He invited the sisters to deepen their path in silence, prayer and listening:

“In a Chapter … the most important insights are gained on our knees … It is only by listening to the Lord that we learn to truly listen to one another.”

With this, Leo situated not only the clergy but every Christian in the same journey: one of renewal rooted in Christ, not merely structure.

On Friday, Pope Leo received delegates from various national and diocesan synodal councils, urging deeper participation and inclusion in the Church’s mission.

“The synodal path does not cancel differences, but embraces them, so that diversity becomes enrichment and communion becomes mission.”

He emphasised that listening, dialogue and shared decision-making are not optional add-ons but essential marks of a Church that walks together.

The week turned memory into hope: death is not the end, but the threshold of Easter life.

The Emmaus-based reflections frame Christian hope not as escape but as encounter with the Risen One.

Education in faith and community in mission are recurrent themes: the Church does not withdraw but reaches out.

Synodality is no longer abstract: Pope Leo calls for concrete inclusion, participation and shared mission.

2 November – Angelus & Mass at Verano Cemetery: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2025/documents/20251102-angelus.html

3 November – Mass in memory of late pontiff & prelates: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/11/03/251103a.html

5 November – General Audience: https://press.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2025/documents/20251105-udienza-generale.html

6 November – Address to religious congregations: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/11/06/251106c.html

7 November – Audience with synodal council representatives: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/11/07/251107f.html