In the Light of Christ: Pope Leo XIV’s First Homily and the Future of the Church

When a new pope steps into the shoes of the fisherman, the world listens—not only to his first words, but to the vision that will shape his pontificate. In the solemn silence of the Sistine Chapel, before the very cardinals who elected him, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first homily as Bishop of Rome during the Messa Pro Ecclesia on May 9, 2025. It was a reflection grounded in Scripture, humility, and mission—both deeply personal and profoundly universal.

A Grateful Beginning

Pope Leo XIV began his homily in English—a pastoral gesture of intimacy and accessibility. He thanked the College of Cardinals for their trust and acknowledged the "marvels" the Lord continues to do in the Church, a nod to both tradition and hope. His tone was that of a shepherd—not above the flock, but among them.

Christ, Not an Idea—but a Presence

At the heart of the homily was a firm declaration: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16). This Petrine confession was not a mere historical affirmation, but a living truth. Pope Leo XIV reminded the Church that Jesus is not just a memory nor a moral teacher, but the enduring presence of God in the world—revealed in human weakness, crucified in love, and glorified in the Resurrection.

Such clarity matters in an age that often treats faith as outdated or irrational. He gently but firmly critiqued the subtle secularism that creeps into Christian life—when we reduce Jesus to an idea, or when comfort and control become our new certainties.

The Church on a Hill

Echoing 1 Peter 2:9, Pope Leo XIV described the Church as a “city on a hill,” a people called to be light—not through power or perfection, but through holiness. “What makes the Church beautiful,” he said, “is not its structures, but the lives of its saints.”

In that single line, Leo XIV set a clear tone: structural reform, though necessary, must be paired with interior renewal. A holy Church is a missionary Church—open, joyful, and self-giving.

The Call to Evangelize

He did not hesitate to issue a challenge. Every believer, he said, is invited to renew their personal encounter with Christ daily, and to proclaim the Gospel with courage. This is not a task for priests and bishops alone, but for all the baptized. Evangelization, for Leo XIV, begins with conversion—mine and yours.

A Pope Who Wants to Disappear

Perhaps the most moving moment came toward the end. Citing St. Ignatius of Antioch, he expressed his desire to “disappear, so that only Christ may remain.” It was a startling confession of humility and an intentional counter-narrative to celebrity leadership. In an age obsessed with visibility, here is a pope who longs to be hidden in Christ.

Epilogue

Pope Leo XIV’s first homily is not merely an introduction—it is a manifesto of faith. It speaks to a Church at the crossroads of skepticism and renewal, polarization and unity. His words echo the still voice of a shepherd who has nothing to sell but everything to offer: Christ himself.

For those wondering where this papacy might lead, the answer is already clear—not toward novelty, but toward fidelity. Not toward self-preservation, but mission. Not toward a Church of status, but of service.

And in that, we find not just a message for the Vatican—but a personal invitation for us all.