‘Whatever the wound, whatever the offence, do not allow evil to disfigure your humanity’
From The Nijasun News Desk
Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful warning to a world increasingly scarred by wars, violence, hatred and division, urging humanity not to surrender to hatred or allow evil to corrupt the human heart.
Vatican News reports that the Pope delivered the message during Mass at the Church of Maria Santissima del Lago in Castel Gandolfo, where he called on Christians and people of goodwill to embrace love, forgiveness and reconciliation, even in the face of painful wounds and injustice.
Pope Leo explained that hatred and violence can never produce lasting good, warning that they ultimately lead only to destruction and death.
“Hatred and violence lead to nothing good, but only to destruction and death, always—even when they are a response to injustices suffered,” he said.
He urged people who have suffered rejection, injustice or serious offences not to respond by becoming consumed by resentment or revenge.
“Whatever the wound, whatever the offense,” the Pope appealed, people must not allow evil “to disfigure our humanity and corrupt us in our hearts.”
According to him, the Christian response to suffering must remain rooted in love, forgiveness and faith.
Pope Leo acknowledged that such a response could appear difficult in a world where forgiveness is often interpreted as weakness and turning the other cheek is seen as surrender.
But he insisted that the teaching of Jesus remains clear: “only the way of love is the way of life.”
Drawing from the Gospel account of Jesus walking on the water, the Pope encouraged the faithful not to lose hope when confronted by storms and seemingly insurmountable challenges.
He said faith enables people to remain anchored even when fear and uncertainty threaten to overwhelm them.
The Pope also urged the faithful to draw closer to Jesus and Mary through prayer, describing communal devotion as a powerful testimony of God’s love in a troubled world.
The Mass was followed by a Marian procession through Castel Gandolfo, culminating in a traditional procession on Lake Albano. Pope Leo joined the procession aboard a boat, becoming the first Pope to participate in the centuries-old tradition on the lake itself.
His message came against the backdrop of continuing conflicts and tensions across different parts of the world, giving renewed force to his appeal for humanity to break the cycle of hatred, violence and revenge.
Tags: #PopeLeoXIV #VaticanNews #Peace #Faith #Humanity
