Pope Leo XIV presided over Mass at the Cathedral of Albano during his third Sunday at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. He discussed the importance of hospitality, service, and listening in building relationships with God and others. The Pope highlighted Abraham’s response to three men visiting him as master of the house, which was one of hospitality. This encounter encourages us to reflect on how God chose the path of hospitality to enter into Abraham and Sarah’s lives.
The Pope also discussed the Gospel, highlighting the two dimensions of hospitality: service and listening. He called for daily reflection on the Word of God and listening for the Holy Spirit to help us live out our faith through concrete actions. He called for dedicated times of silence and prayer to focus on God and give him space to speak to us.
As summer often offers more free time to reflect and spend time with others, Pope Leo challenged everyone to make good use of this by leaving behind commitments and worries to savor moments of peace and reflection. He argued that living these out will promote a culture of peace, helping those around us overcome divisions and hostility and build communion between individuals, peoples, and religions.
Recognizing that this demands effort and sacrifices, Pope Leo stressed that listening to and serving others is the only way to create and strengthen genuine relationships with others. At the end of Mass, Pope Leo presented the Bishiop of Albano, Vincenzo Viva, with a chasuble, expressing their closeness to his diocesan Church and the hope that the Lord’s blessing may always accompany them.
