Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in the Vatican Grutas, near the tomb of San Pedro

Pope Leo XIV presided this morning a Mass in the Vatican Grutas, on the altar located next to the tomb of the Apostle Peter, before appearing to the central balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro to pray Regina Coeli.

As reported by the Vatican Press Office, the Pontiff concelebrated the Eucharist with the prior of the Order of St. Augustine, Fr. Alejandro Moral Antón, in this underground area located under the basilica of San Pedro in the Vatican.

In his homily, pronounced one part in English and the other in Italian, the Pope recalled that this May 11 is celebrated on the Sunday of the good shepherd. “Jesus Christ, whom we continue, is the good shepherd, and it is the one who gives us life: the way, truth and life. That is why we celebrate this day with joy and we deeply appreciate his presence here,” he said.

He also stressed that this second Sunday in May is also celebrated on Mother’s Day in several countries of the world, and said that “one of the most wonderful expressions of God’s love is the love that mothers spill, especially towards their children and grandchildren.”

But in addition, he pointed out that this day is also special because the World Prayer Day for Vocations is celebrated. Leo XIV recalled that before and after the conclave there was talk to the cardinals “about the vocations in the church and the importance of all looking for together.”

“First of all,” he recalled, “setting a good example with our lives, with joy, living the joy of the Gospel, without discouraging others, but looking for ways to encourage young people to listen to the voice of the Lord, to follow her and to serve her in the Church. ‘I am the good shepherd,” he tells us. “

Finally, the Holy Father pointed out that, as the biblical account of Paul and Bernabé to Antioch teaches, the Gospel must be announced to everyone.

“Courage! Without fear! Many times Jesus says in the Gospel: ‘You are not afraid.’ We must be brave in the testimony we give, with words and especially with life: giving life, serving, sometimes with great sacrifices to live this same mission,” he said.

Leo XIV indicated that first you must “always listen to the Word of God. Then also listen to others, know how to build bridges, know how to judge, not close doors thinking that we have the whole truth and that no one else can tell us anything.”

“It is very important to hear the voice of the Lord, listen to ourselves in this dialogue and see where the Lord calls us. Let’s walk together in the Church, let’s ask the Lord to give us this grace to be able to listen to his word to serve his entire people,” he said.

Mass completed, Leo XIV stopped a few minutes in prayer before the tombs of his predecessors. In the Vatican crypt he was buried on January 5, 2023 Benedict XVI, in a marble gravestone with the registration in Latin Benedict. 16right next to the tomb of Queen Cristina de Sweden (1626-1689).

The German Pope was buried precisely where the tomb of San Juan Pablo II was previously. The remains of Wojtyła were transferred in 2011, immediately after their beatification, to the chapel of San Sebastián, next to the piety of Miguel Ángel.

As reported by the Vatican, Leo XIV also stopped to pray in front of the call Niche dei Palli, where the palates destined for the metropolitan archbishops, a symbol of communion with the Apostolic Headquarters are preserved.