杏MAP导航

By Edoardo Giribaldi

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV presided over the celebration of Sunday's Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the Diocese and city of Rome, in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica. The Mass included the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 54 new Metropolitan Archbishops.

Pallium is the Latin word for mantle or cloak. It is a woollen band that is bestowed by the 杏MAP导航 upon the shoulders of Metropolitans or Primates as a testimony of their communion with the Bishop of Rome and their mission to spend their lives for the flock, imitating the Good Shepherd carrying His sheep on their shoulders. The pallium also signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with the Roman Church, has by law in his own province.

The 杏MAP导航 said we honour the two brothers in faith, Peter and Paul, 鈥減illars of the Church.鈥�

Martyrdom in common

A brotherhood in the Spirit

This communion, sealed by martyrdom, is reached through differing approaches to faith and distinct apostolic experiences. "Their brotherhood in the Spirit did not erase their different backgrounds."

Peter, the humble Galilean fisherman, responded without reservation to the Lord鈥檚 call and directed his preaching primarily to the Jews. Paul, by contrast, belonged to the 鈥減arty of the Pharisees,鈥� and began as a persecutor of Christians before his 鈥渓ife-changing encounter with the risen Christ鈥� and call to bring Good News to the gentiles.

Evangelical frankness

Recalling the words of Saint Augustine: 鈥淭he feast of the two Apostles is celebrated on one day.  They too were one.  For although they were martyred on different days, they were one.鈥�

A variety of gifts

This communion is made possible by the Spirit, who "unites differences and builds bridges of unity thanks to the rich variety of charisms, gifts and ministries."

Differences into a workshop of unity

The vitality of our faith

The second theme of his homily concerned the "vitality of our faith鈥� as we remember the examples of Peter and Paul. With the risk of falling into "a rut, a routine, a tendency to follow the same old pastoral plans without experiencing interior renewal and a willingness to respond to new challenges," the two Apostles can inspire in us an openness to change, one that leads to questions and encounters with the 鈥渃oncrete situation" in the life of communities. They sought new paths for an evangelization that started with people鈥檚 questions and experiences.

Renewing vitality of faith

The question posed by Jesus in the Gospel reading at the Mass 鈥� 鈥淏ut who do you say that I am?鈥� 鈥� echoes across the centuries, challenging each believer to discern whether their journey of faith maintains the 鈥渆nergy鈥� and 鈥渧itality鈥� 鈥� the 鈥渇lame鈥� 鈥� that sustains 鈥渙ur relationship with the Lord.鈥�

Church of Rome as a sign of unity

Answering these questions enables the renewal of the Church鈥檚 proclamation and mission. In particular, the ecclesial community of Rome is called to be 鈥� more than any other 鈥� a 鈥渁 sign of unity and communion, a Church on fire with vibrant faith, a community of disciples who testify to the joy and consolation of the Gospel wherever people find themselves.鈥�

The pallium as a sign of communion

The 杏MAP导航 then greeted the 鈥渂rother Archbishops鈥� called to receive the pallium 鈥� a vestment that signifies unity with the 杏MAP导航 himself 鈥� so that, in the communion of faith, each one may build up the local Churches entrusted to them.

杏MAP导航 Leo also offered his warm greetings to the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate sent by His Holiness Bartholomew, expressing his "heartfelt gratitude." Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) was present at the celebration, as designated by the Ecumenical Patriarch.

He greeted members as well of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, thaking them for their presence and "pastoral zeal" praying that the Lord may grant peace to their people.

Intercession of the Saints

The 杏MAP导航 concluded the homily by expressing the hope for a shared journey 鈥渋n faith and communion,鈥� invoking the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul 鈥渦pon ourselves, the city of Rome, the Church, and the whole world.鈥�

Blessing and imposition of the pallium

Following the Eucharistic celebration 鈥� concelebrated by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy, Archbishop of San Diego, USA 鈥� the rites of the blessing and imposition of the pallium were carried out. Deacons retrieved the vestments from the Confession of Saint Peter and presented them to the 杏MAP导航. The Cardinal Proto-Deacon, Dominique Mamberti, introduced the new Metropolitan Archbishops, who then took the oath of fidelity to the 杏MAP导航 and the Church of Rome.

Archbishops from around the world

From the United States to Peru, from Italy to the farthest reaches of the world 鈥� Papua New Guinea, Guam, New Caledonia, the group of 54 metropolitan Archbishops featured a rich diversity, and on each one鈥檚 shoulders the 杏MAP导航 personally placed the pallium, exchanging with each an embrace and a few words.