Today, Leo XIV greeted, in their own language, more than 10,000 Croatians who arrived at St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the Jubilee of Hope. Before the pilgrims, the Pope assured that “faith grows and is strengthened when it is shared.”
“Praise Jesus and Mary, Praised Jesus and Mary“He exclaimed at the beginning of his greeting to the crowd.
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The Holy Father recognized that the “numerous and prayerful” presence of the Croatian pilgrims “is an eloquent sign of the vitality of the faith of its people, who throughout the centuries have remained firm in communion with the Church and faithful to the Successor of the Apostle Peter.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that the faith of the Croatian people has not remained stagnant in the past but continues to bear fruit today “thanks to the witness of their families, their parish communities and their associations.”
“The tradition inherited from your ancestors is a precious treasure, which you carefully guard and which you are called to continually renew, always open to recognizing what the Holy Spirit inspires,” said Pope Leo.
He also thanked the Croatian people for their loyalty “lived in the concreteness of their daily lives” and in different parts of the world. He encouraged them to remain “united with their Christian roots” and to offer “the testimony of a people who love Christ and his Church.”
“This coherence of life is a word of the Gospel more eloquent than many speeches,” he said.
In that sense, Leo XIV asked them to “always keep their gaze fixed on Jesus” and to “let themselves be guided by Him with trust and obedience.”
“Do not forget that faith grows and is strengthened when it is shared: therefore, I invite you to joyfully transmit to your children and future generations the Christian values that have forged your long history and culture. In this way, you will continue to be a leaven of peace, goodness and hope in a world torn by violence and war, which you also know from your own history,” the Pope added.
Finally, he gave them his Apostolic Blessing as a sign “of closeness and affection,” in addition to entrusting them to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Andres Henriquez
I was born in Caracas in 1996. I have been a writer for ACI Prensa and a correspondent for EWTN since 2023. Since then, I have covered events in the Catholic Church in Venezuela, Latin America and the world. I have more than 6 years of experience in bilingual media. Furthermore, in Venezuela I have worked in various areas in favor of freedom and respect for fundamental rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.