Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Nov. 9, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Nov 9, 2025 / 07:15 am (CNA).
PopeLeoXIVinvitedthefaithfultocontemplate“themysteryofunityandcommunionwiththeChurchofRome”andtorecognizethat“thetruesanctuaryofGodisChristwhodiedandroseagain”duringhisSundayAngelusonthefeastoftheDedicationoftheBasilicaofSt.JohnLateran.
SpeakingtopilgrimsgatheredinSt.Peter’sSquare,thepopesaidinhiscatechesisthattheLateran,thecathedraloftheDioceseofRomeandtheseatofPeter’ssuccessor,“isnotonlyaworkofextraordinaryhistorical,artistic,andreligiousvalue,butitalsorepresentsthedrivingforceofthefaithentrustedtoandpreservedbytheApostles,anditstransmissionthroughouthistory.”
Henotedthatthismystery“shinesforthintheartisticsplendorofthebuilding,”whichcontains“the12largestatuesoftheApostles,thefirstfollowersofChristandwitnessesoftheGospel.”
ThepopeurgedChristianstolookbeyondappearancesandtoseetheChurch’sdeeperreality.“Thispointstoaspiritualperspecti
