# 🦁 Pope Watch May 16, 2025 A daily briefing of the latest words and actions of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. ^p1 ## Inaugural Address to Diplomatic Corps In his inaugural address to the Diplomatic Corps on May 16, 2025, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the foundational principles of **peace**, **justice**, and **truth** as central to the Church’s mission and its diplomatic engagement. > [!quote] > *..Truth is not the affirmation of abstract and disembodied principles, but an encounter with the person of Christ himself, alive in the midst of the community of believers.* - **Peace** Pope Leo described peace as an “active and demanding gift” that requires personal commitment and dialogue. He stressed that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but involves building relationships through humility and careful communication. He highlighted the role of religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in fostering peace.  - **Justice** The Pope asserted that achieving peace necessitates acting justly. He called on governments to build harmonious societies that uphold the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable, including the unborn, elderly, sick, unemployed, and immigrants.  - ** Truth** Pope Leo emphasized that truth is essential for confronting contemporary challenges such as migration, ethical use of artificial intelligence, and environmental protection. He insisted that the Church must always speak the truth about humanity and the world, even if it may initially cause misunderstanding.  - ** The family and care of the vulnerable** Highlighting the family as the cornerstone of society, Pope Leo advocated for investment in families founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman. He underscored the importance of respecting the dignity of all individuals, particularly the frail and vulnerable, including the unborn, elderly, sick, unemployed, and immigrants.  For the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s address, you can visit the Vatican’s official website: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250516-corpo-diplomatico.html ## 🕊️ Peace and Diplomacy - [Ukraine Engagement](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-meets-with-archbishop-shevchuk.html) Pope Leo XIV met with His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv, who invited him to visit Ukraine and presented a list of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. - [Media Appeal](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-to-diplomatic-corps-build-peace-with-justice-truth-hope.html) In his first address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, Pope Leo XIV stressed that lasting peace requires multilateral diplomacy, interreligious dialogue, and careful use of language. --- ## 🧭 Social and Moral Teachings - [Family and Life](https://apnews.com/article/f0678b67da0dc74b4bc7e6e10a77a23e) He reaffirmed that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman” and highlighted the inherent dignity of the unborn, elderly, sick, unemployed, immigrants, and other vulnerable individuals. - [Youth Concerns](https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250515-fratelli-scuole-cristiane.html) Addressing the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Pope Leo XIV voiced concern over challenges facing today’s youth—relativism, emotional instability, and superficiality—and urged educators to guide them wisely. --- ## 🎉 Upcoming Events - [Inauguration Mass](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/05/12/250512f.html) His formal installation Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, in St. Peter’s Basilica, with expected attendees including the presidents of Ukraine and the United States. --- # 🕊️ Pope Watch — May 15, 2025 A short briefing of the latest words and actions of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. ✨ --- ## 🐥 Headlines - May 15, 2025 - [**Your altar is the classroom**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-meets-institute-of-the-brothers-of-christian-schools.html) Recalling the saying of St. John Baptist de La Salle "Your altar is the classroom," Pope Leo XIV commends the educational efforts of the Christian Brothers, and encourages them to continue "inspiring joyful and fruitful paths of holiness."- [Read all](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-meets-institute-of-the-brothers-of-christian-schools.html) - [**Inauguration Mass Scheduled**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/inaugural-mass-of-pope-leo-xiv-to-be-held-on-may-18.html) Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Basilica. Leaders expected include President Zelensky of Ukraine and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. - [**Social Media Engagement**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-inherits-papal-social-media-accounts.html) The Pope debuted on Instagram with a message: “Peace be with you all.” He plans to remain active online. - [**Jubilee of Eastern Churches**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-to-eastern-catholics-the-church-needs-you.html) Pope Leo XIV welcomed Eastern Catholics, stressing the need to preserve their traditions and pray for true peace. - [**Peace Advocacy**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-at-regina-coeli-never-again-war.html) The Pope repeated his plea for ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza: “War is never inevitable.” - [**Media Message**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-media-professionals-audience-conclave.html) Addressing journalists, the Pope urged: “Choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favor of peace.” - [**Visit to Turkey**](https://aleteia.org/2025/05/12/leo-xiv-is-preparing-the-turkey-trip-francis-wanted) Pope Leo XIV confirmed plans to visit Turkey in July to commemorate the First Council of Nicaea’s 1,700th anniversary. ^p2 --- ← [[20250502-marys-words|Previous]] | [[20250623-quote-interior-castle|Next]] →