Pope Leo XIV urges Christians to deepen faith through service this summer

Pope Leo XIV urges Christians to deepen faith through service this summer

Pope Leo XIV has called on Christians worldwide to transform their summer holidays into opportunities for spiritual deepening through concrete acts of mercy, simplicity, and service to those in need.

The first American-born pontiff, who became the 267th pope in May 2025 after succeeding Pope Francis, issued the message from Castel Gandolfo, the historic papal summer residence located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Rome on the shores of Lake Albano. His decision to spend the summer at the estate marks a return to papal tradition after a 12-year hiatus, as Pope Francis had not used the residence during his 2013-2025 papacy, instead opening it to the public.

Writing in the July/August edition of Piazza San Pietro, an Italian magazine launched by St. Peter's Basilica that features monthly papal responses to reader letters, Pope Leo XIV responded to Maurizio, a Rome resident seeking guidance on authentic spiritual growth during the summer months.

Remembering those who cannot rest

The Pope began his response by drawing attention to people unable to enjoy summer respite due to hardship.

Let us think of the sick, of those who have lost hope in life, of those overwhelmed by the pain of losing loved ones, of the victims of war, hatred, terrorism, and violence, of those persecuted for their faith and for justice, of prisoners, of those who have lost their jobs or their homes, and of migrants who are not welcomed with humanity.

Maurizio had written about the challenges facing today's world, describing it as "faster and more efficient than ever, but often superficial and distracted." He expressed a desire to spend the summer not merely resting but rediscovering "a deeper dimension" of inner life and "an authentic space for encountering God the Father."

Living the Gospel of mercy

To strengthen faith, Pope Leo XIV urged believers to "make use also of the summer to live out the Gospel of peace and mercy." He expressed hope that the holiday season would become "an opportunity for fruitful social and religious experiences" for families, young people, and older adults, helping them deepen their mission in both the Church and society.

The Pope, who chose his papal name in honor of Pope Leo XIII—whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed Catholic responses to the industrial revolution—sees parallels between past social challenges and today's technological upheavals, a theme he explored in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, signed on May 15, 2026, which addressed the moral use of artificial intelligence.

Pope Leo XIV specifically advised families not to leave elderly relatives alone during holidays and expressed hope that the sick would continue receiving support from relatives and volunteers. Addressing volunteers directly, he told them to continue serving people in need:

Commit yourselves to bringing humanity and hope to those who suffer, and you will see the fruits of grace. You will discover how much love will fill your lives, how much joy, how much happiness.

Evangelical poverty and simplicity

The pontiff emphasized that Christians bear responsibility to "bear witness to evangelical poverty" when serving the poor, describing such service as one rendered "to Christ himself." In Catholic teaching, evangelical poverty refers to the voluntary renunciation of excess and attachment to material wealth, rooted in Christ's example and emphasized at the Second Vatican Council as a way the Church bears witness to Jesus Christ.

Pope Leo XIV cautioned believers against turning holidays into times of excess.

Let us also avoid excess and waste, materialism and consumerism, and let us educate ourselves in simplicity and moderation. The accumulation of wealth hinders evangelization.

The message aligns with longstanding Catholic teaching about the spiritual value of summer, which the Church considers a time for rest, reflection, and spiritual growth. Pope Benedict XVI previously stated that vacation should be a time to rest the body and nurture the spirit through prayer and meditation.

Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV expressed hope that holidays would "be consistent with a Christian way of life." He added:

God's love and grace reach us every day, always. Let us help one another, in every community, not to squander this precious heritage of humanity and peace, the only hope for giving a future to a world threatened by war.