Homily of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass this Friday in the Basilica of San Pedro on the occasion of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, framed in the jubilee of the priests. The Pontiff ordered 32 new presbyters during the celebration.

Read here the full text of the Homily of the Holy Father.

Today, solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, day for priestly sanctification, we celebrate this Eucharist in the jubilee of the priests. I go, therefore, first, you, dear presbyter brothers, who have come to the tomb of the apostle Peter to enter the holy door, to submerge your baptismal and priestly garments in the heart of the Savior.

For some of those present here, this gesture is made in a very special day of your life: that of ordination. Talking about the heart of Christ in this context is talking about the whole mystery of the incarnation, death and resurrection of the Lord, a specially entrusted to us to make him present in the world. Therefore, in the light of the readings we have heard, let’s reflect together on how we can contribute to this work of salvation.

In the first, the prophet Ezekiel tells us of God as a pastor who keeps his flock, telling his sheep one by one: he goes in search of the losses, heals the wounds, he holds the weak and sick (cf. Ez 34,11-16).

It reminds us thus, in a time of great and terrible conflicts, that the love of the Lord, of which we are called to let ourselves hug and mold, is universal, and that in his eyes – and therefore also ours – there is no place for divisions or hatreds of any kind.

In the second reading (cf. Rm 5,5-11), St. Paul, reminding us that God reconciled us “when we were still weak” (v. 6) and “sinners” (v. 8), invites us to abandon ourselves to the transformative action of his spirit that lives in us, in a daily way of conversion. Our hope is based on the awareness that the Lord never abandons us; It always accompanies us.

However, we are called to cooperate with him, first of all, putting the Eucharist, “source and culmination of all Christian life” (Conc. Ecum. Vat. II, const. Dogm.

Lumen Gentium, 11); then “for the fructose reception of the sacraments, especially in the frequent sacramental action of penance” (id., Decr. Presbyterorum Ordinis, 18); and, finally, with prayer, the meditation of the word and the exercise of charity, increasingly forming our heart to that of the “father of mercies” (Ibid.).

And this leads us to the gospel we have heard (cf. Lk 15,3-7), in which we talk about the joy of God-and of every pastor he loves according to his heart-for the return to the fold of one of his sheep.

It is an invitation to live pastoral charity with the same generous spirit of the Father, Bollettino N. 0448 – 27.06.2025 9 Cultivating in us his desire: that no one is lost (cf. Jn 6,39), but that all, also through us, know Christ and have eternal life in him (cf. Jn 6,40).

It is an invitation to intimately unite Jesus (cf. presbyterorum ordinis, 14), a seed of concord among the brothers, carrying on our shoulders those who have been lost, forgiving those who have erred, going in search of those who have moved away or have been excluded, taking care of those who suffer in the body and in the spirit, in a great exchange of love that, born from Crucified, surrounds all men and permeates the world.

Pope Francis wrote in this regard: «From the wound on the side of Christ that river that never exhausts, which does not happen, which is offered again and again for those who want to love is still sprouted.

Only his love will make possible a new humanity ”(Letter Enc. Dilexit Nos, 219). The priestly ministry is a ministry of sanctification and reconciliation for the unity of the body of Christ (cf. Lumen Gentium, 7).

Therefore, the Second Vatican Council asks presbyters to do everything possible to “lead them all to the unity of charity” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, 9), harmonizing the differences so that “nobody feels strange” (Ibid.). And recommends that they be united to the bishop and presbytery (cf. ibid., 7-8).

Indeed, the greater the unity among us, the more we will also know how to take others to the Redile of the Good Shepherd, to live as brothers in the only father of the Father.

San Agustín, to this purpose, in a sermon pronounced on the occasion of the anniversary of his ordination, spoke of a joyful fruit of communion that unites the faithful, the presbyters and the bishops, and who has their root in feeling all rescued and saved by the same grace and by the same mercy.

He pronounced, precisely in that context, the famous phrase: “With you I am a Christian and for you, bishop” (Sermon 340,1). In the solemn mass of the beginning of my pontificate, I have expressed a great desire before the people of God: “A united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a ferment for a reconciled world” (May 18, 2025).

Today I share it again with all of you: reconciled, united and transformed by the love that sprouts abundantly from the heart of Christ, let’s walk together after his footprints, humble and determined, firm in faith and open to all in charity, we take the peace of the resurrected, with that freedom that is born of knowing us loved, chosen and sent by the Father.

And now, before concluding, I address you, dear orders, who soon, for the imposition of the bishop’s hands and with a renewed effusion of the Holy Spirit, will become priests. I tell you some simple things, but that I consider important for your future and for that of the souls that will be entrusted to them. Love God and the brothers, be generous, fervent in the celebration of the sacraments, in prayer – especially in worship – and in the ministry; Be close to your Gray, donate your time and energies to all, without sparing, without making differences, as you teach us the open side of the crucified and the example of the saints.

And for this purpose, remember that the Church, in its millenary history, has had – and still has wonderful figures of priestly holiness. From the community of the origins, the Church has generated and known, among its priests, martyrs, tireless apostles, missionaries and champions of charity.

Take so much wealth: interest in their stories, study their lives and their works, imitate their virtues, let yourself be on for their zeal and frequently and insistently invoke their intercession. Our world often proposes debatable and inconsistent success models and prestige. Do not let themselves be mandated for them.

Look rather the solid example and the fruits of the apostolate, often hidden and humble, who in life has served the Lord and the brothers with faith and dedication, and maintain their memory with their loyalty. Let us finally entrust us all to the maternal protection of the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the priests and mother of hope, that she is the one who accompanies and sustains our steps, so that we can increasingly configure our heart with that of Christ, Sumo and Eternal Pastor.