What the Pope Said This Week

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

Friday, 9 January: Address to the Diplomatic Corps

In  his first “State of the World” address to ambassadors, Pope Leo XIV  delivered a sweeping 43-minute speech drawing on St Augustine’s City of  God. He warned of weakening multilateralism and the resurgence of war:

“War  is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading. The principle  established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from  using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely  undermined.”

The Pope called for respect for  international humanitarian law, defended the freedom of conscience and  religious liberty, and condemned practices that violate human dignity  including abortion, surrogacy, and euthanasia. He expressed concern over  tensions in the Caribbean and Pacific, called for respect for the  Venezuelan people’s will, and appealed for peace in Ukraine, the Holy  Land, and Myanmar.

Citing St Francis of Assisi on the eighth centenary of his death, he concluded:

“A peaceful world is built starting with humble hearts turned towards the heavenly city.”

Sunday, 11 January: Baptisms in the Sistine Chapel

On  the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Leo baptised 20 infants of  Vatican employees in the Sistine Chapel, continuing a tradition begun by  St John Paul II in 1981. In his homily, he urged parents to see faith  as essential as food and clothing:

“Who among  us, in fact, would leave newborns without clothes or without  nourishment, waiting for them to choose when they are grown how to dress  and what to eat? Dear friends, if food and clothing are necessary to  live, faith is more than necessary, because with God life finds  salvation.”

He reminded parents that children receive from them not only life but also “the meaning for living it: faith.”

Sunday, 11 January: Angelus on the Baptism of the Lord

At  the Angelus, Pope Leo reflected on Jesus’ baptism and its significance  for Christians, emphasising that the sacrament of Baptism “makes this  event present in every time and place”:

“In his  holiness, the Lord allows himself to be baptised like a sinner, to  reveal God’s infinite mercy. The Only-Begotten Son, in whom we are  brothers and sisters, comes to serve rather than dominate, to save  rather than condemn.”

The Pope extended  blessings to all infants receiving Baptism, particularly those “born  into difficult circumstances.” He also expressed concern over tensions  in Iran and Syria, and renewed his appeal for peace in Ukraine, where  attacks on energy infrastructure are taking a heavy toll on civilians.

Wednesday, 14 January: General Audience — Dei Verbum and Friendship with God

Continuing  his catechesis on Vatican II, Pope Leo examined the Dogmatic  Constitution Dei Verbum, highlighting its teaching that God speaks to us  “as to friends”:

“Jesus Christ radically  transforms man’s relationship with God, which is henceforth a  relationship of friendship. Therefore, the only condition of the new  covenant is love.”

Drawing on St Augustine, the  Pope emphasised that divine revelation has a dialogical nature  requiring both listening and speaking with God. He stressed the  necessity of prayer:

“Time dedicated to prayer,  meditation and reflection cannot be lacking in the Christian’s day and  week. Only when we speak with God can we also speak about Him.”

He warned that friendships can end through neglect: “If Jesus calls us to be friends, let us not leave this call unheeded.”

Take-Away Points:

• War is “back in vogue”; peace requires humility, courage, and hearts turned towards the heavenly city.
• International humanitarian law must prevail over military interests;  the dignity of every person — migrants, prisoners, the unborn — must be  protected.
• Faith is “more than necessary” for children; parents should not delay baptism any more than they would delay food or clothing.
• Baptism makes present Christ’s saving work; he came to serve and save, not to dominate or condemn.
• God speaks to us as friends; this relationship requires both listening and speaking through prayer.
• Friendship with God can be lost through neglect; we must cultivate this relationship daily.

Sources:

2026-01-09 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2026/january/documents/20260109-corpo-diplomatico.html
2026-01-11 (Angelus) – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2026/documents/20260111-angelus.html
2026-01-14 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2026/documents/20260114-udienza-generale.html