I have had the grace of meeting Pope Leo, and in his presence I have discovered something more than a shepherd: I have seen a man who listens with the ear of his heart, who speaks with the serenity of one who prays, and whose gaze embraces like a sacrament. His prudence is not a fearful silence, but a wisdom that discerns and dares to point the way. His commitment is not limited to diplomatic gestures: it is a radical commitment to the Gospel, to justice, to peace, and to the care of the Earth, our common home entrusted to us and today in agony.
Pope Leo stands as heir to the missionary fire of those who never silenced the Good News. He carries in his soul the ardor of the Gospel, naked, undisguised, convinced that only Christ is hope for wounded peoples and strength for those who refuse to resign themselves to evil.
In his teaching, in his meetings, in his messages, he throws words at us that are not diplomacy, but rather fiery darts that wound indifference and awaken conscience. Listen: "We are stopping the weapons pandemic that is infecting the world," "Gaza needs bread and dignity, not bombs," "Ukraine is bleeding from thousands of wounds; we are not allowing war to become a habit," "People have the right to live in peace. Peace is not naivety."
These phrases are not political slogans, they are the groans of the Spirit through the mouth of a prophet. Listening to him, I confirm what we already sensed: the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church. He did so with Francis, prophet of tenderness, and he does so today with Leo, prophet of hope. Both show that the Gospel is not negotiable, but is incarnated and lived, and that the only revolution that transforms the world is that of love.
Pope Leo is a luminous sign in the midst of the storm. His voice rises like a beacon in the midst of confusion and reminds humanity that we are not condemned to hatred or self-destruction. With Francis and with him, The Church is not a museum or an outdated institution: she remains a mother, teacher, friend, companion on the journey. And she invites us to believe, to fight, and to dream of the new world that springs up every time someone chooses peace over war, life over death, love over selfishness.
"Peace begins in the heart and has a multiplying effect." This phrase, which summarizes his teaching, becomes a prophetic mandate today: to be sowers of peace, guardians of the earth, witnesses of God's tenderness.
Thank you, Pope Leo, for lending us your voice. Thank you for confirming us in the faith. Thank you for reminding us that God's time is now, and that now is the time to embrace all of humanity.
