What the Pope Said this Week Part 2

Pope Leo XIV greets visitors and pilgrims from the popemobile as he rides around St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience Dec. 10, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

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

10 December — Address to European Conservatives and Reformists Group

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV addressed members of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group of the European Parliament, welcoming them during a conference held in Rome. The Pope’s address touched on fundamental questions of politics, democracy, faith, and Europe’s future.

The Pope acknowledged the diversity of views represented within any parliament, noting that this diversity is in fact essential to democratic function. Yet he insisted that this diversity must be exercised with virtue:

“As democratically elected officials, you reflect a range of views that sit within a wider spectrum of diverse opinions. Indeed, one of the essential purposes of a parliament is to enable such views to be expressed and discussed. Yet the mark of any civilised society is that differences are debated with courtesy and respect, for the ability to disagree, listen attentively, and even to enter into dialogue with those whom we may regard as opponents, bears witness to our reverence for the God-given dignity of all men and women.”

The Pope then pointed to Saint Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians, as a model for this kind of virtuous public service:

“I invite you, then, to look to Saint Thomas More, the patron of politicians, whose wisdom, courage and defence of conscience are a timeless inspiration for those who seek to foster the wellbeing of society.”

11 December — Address to Members of the Committee for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026

On Thursday morning, Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Committee for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026, gathering with individuals dedicated to promoting the values of interreligious dialogue and human solidarity. The Pope’s address underscored the vital importance of moving beyond words to concrete action in building fraternity amongst peoples of different faiths.

“As you are well aware, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity emerged from a pivotal moment in interreligious dialogue: the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This Prize not only embodies the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and these other leaders, it also emphasises that every human being and every religion is called to promote fraternity.”

“In a time marked by increased conflict and division, we need authentic testimonies of human kindness and charity to remind us that we are all brothers and sisters. Words are not enough.”

11 December — Address to the Faculty and Students of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology

Pope Leo XIV addressed the Faculty and Students of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology in the Clementine Hall, marking the centenary of the institution’s establishment. His address explored the essential role of Christian archaeology in the life of the Church, ecumenism, and the broader mission of building peace and understanding amongst peoples.

The Pope opened by acknowledging the momentous anniversary being celebrated:

“Today marks the centenary of the day when my venerable predecessor Pius XI, in his Motu proprio I primitivi cemeteri di Roma cristiana (‘The Early Cemeteries of Christian Rome’), recalled how ‘the Roman Pontiffs always considered it their strict duty to protect and preserve’ the sacred heritage, in particular the ‘underground cemeteries commonly called Catacombs’, without neglecting ‘the basilicas that flourished within the walls of the City of Rome with their magnificent mosaics, countless inscriptions, paintings, sculptures, and cemetery and liturgical furnishings.'”

The Pope articulated a profound ecumenical significance to the study of early Christian remains. Since Christian archaeology examines the period of the united Church before later divisions, it can serve as a bridge between different Christian communities:

“Furthermore, Christian archaeology is a field of study that relates to the historical period of the united Church, and can therefore be a useful tool for ecumenism: indeed, the various denominations can recognise their common origins through the study of Christian antiquities and can thus foster the aspiration to full communion.”

Take-Away Points

– Peace is genuinely possible through patient dialogue, witness, and the faithful presence of Christians engaged with other faiths and cultures.

– Democratic societies flourish when citizens debate differences with courtesy and respect, guided by reverence for human dignity.

– Europe’s moral, cultural, and spiritual future depends on remembering and drawing upon its Christian intellectual and ethical heritage.

– The Church must always champion the dignity of the poor, the marginalised, and the forgotten—the “least” whom Christ called us to serve.

– Christian archaeology reveals the common heritage of different Christian traditions and can serve as a bridge toward full visible unity amongst the Churches.

Read Part 1 of What the Pope Said this Week

Sources

2025-12-10 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251210-ecr.html

2025-12-11 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251211-zayed-award.html

2025-12-11 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251211-archeologia-cristiana.html