Sincere thanks from Leo XIV to the Secretary of State

At his hearing with the members of the Secretary of State on Thursday morning, Pope Leo XVI thanked them for his help in the first month of his pontificate, while asking them not to allow them to be contaminated by “ambitions or antagonisms.”

Among those present were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, who introduced the encounter with a brief speech. Mons. Edgar Peña Parra, substitute for the Secretary of State also participated.

Mons. Richard Gallagher, secretary of the Holy See for relations with the States, did not participate in the hearing because it is in Cuba within the framework of the 90th anniversary of the relations between the Caribbean country and the Holy See.

“It comforts me to know that I’m not alone”

At the beginning of his speech, the Pontiff thanked the Secretary of State for helping him in the “first steps” of his pontificate and “carrying out the mission” that has been confident.

“It comforts me to know that I am not alone and that I can share the responsibility of my universal ministry with you,” he added.

Next, in a sincere improvisation, he said that “it is evident that the Pope cannot move forward alone and that it is very necessary to be able to have the collaboration of many in the Holy See”, and especially with the Secretary of State.

He also recalled the beginnings of this institution, which date back at the end of the 15th century and its evolution over the years, highlighting that almost half of the State Secretariat is formed by laity and more than fifty women.

Encarnación and Catholicity

This development, for the Pope, reflects “the face of the Church: we share together the questions, difficulties, challenges and hopes of the people of God present throughout the world”, always expressing “two essential dimensions: incarnation and catholicity.”

“We are embodied in time and in history, because if God has chosen the path of the human and the languages ​​of men, the Church is also called to follow this path, so that the joy of the Gospel can reach everyone and be mediated in current cultures and languages,” he said.

He also reflected on the “Catholic and universal look, which allows us to assess the different cultures and sensibilities, being” a propellant center that undertakes to weave the communion between the Church of Rome and the local churches “, as well as with the international community.

For the Holy Father, these two dimensions “have become increasingly constitutive of curial work”, marking a path that has oriented the reform of the Roman curia, carried out by San Pablo VI, who took into account the challenges of history without losing catholicity.

The Pontiff also explained that the incarnation “refers to the concretion of reality and the specific and particular issues, discussed by the various organs of the curia.”

That this place “is not contaminated by ambitions or antagonisms”

On the other hand, he highlighted the universal character, remembering that “the mystery of the multiform unity of the Church, then demands a synthesis work that can help the Pope’s action.” This bond of Union, he explained, is carried out by the Secretary of State.

Pope Leo XIV quoted below Preach the Gospelthe apostolic constitution of Pope Francis on the Roman curia and his service to the Church in the world.

“I know that these tasks are very demanding and, sometimes, they may not be well understood. Therefore I want to express my closeness and, above all, my living gratitude,” he said.

The Pope also thanked the “hidden work” at the service of the Church and “the evangelical spirit that inspires him”, while asking them that this place “is not contaminated by ambitions or antagonisms.”

“They are, on the other hand, a true community of faith and charity, of brothers and children of the Pope,” which are generously delivered for the good of the Church, “asked the pontiff.

After entrusting them to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, he thanked the prayers for their ministry and gave them the blessing.