- 29 June, 2026
Vatican, June 29, 2026: "It is important for us today to look to these two Saints—Peter and Paul—to understand how we, in turn, can be apostles and builders of unity, and generous servants of the truth in charity."
Pope Leo XIV shared this reflection during the Mass he celebrated on Monday morning for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Patrons of Rome, in St Peter’s Basilica.
During the celebration, the traditional blessing and imposition of the pallium for the new Metropolitan Archbishops also took place.
Two pillars of the Church
In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the patron saints of the city and Diocese of Rome, recalling that Peter was chosen by Jesus as shepherd of His flock, while Paul was chosen as Apostle to the Gentiles. "In them," he said, "we venerate two pillars of the Church."
Speaking first about Peter, the Pope noted that the first Pope promoted unity and communion even during moments of division and unrest.
Peter was not perfect
Pope Leo pointed out, however, that "does not mean that Peter is perfect."
The Pope recalled that during the Passion, Peter denied the Master, and only later expressed sincere repentance through tears. Paul himself, under different circumstances, reproached Peter for the inconsistency shown in some of his actions.
"Yet Peter," Pope Leo said, "knows how to acknowledge his mistakes and repent, without becoming discouraged and without failing in his mission to proclaim the Gospel and gather Christ's flock, even unto martyrdom—a fate which he suffered here in Rome, not far from where we are gathered."
Peter, the Pope suggested, eventually embraced the mission entrusted to him by the Lord: "to listen, with His help, to the voice of each person; to discern inspirations; to guide the way; to correct errors; to instruct, encourage, exhort and accompany our brothers and sisters so that, docile to the action of the same Spirit, they may cooperate in the salvation of one another and of all humanity."
His example, the Pope said, "is an invitation to every Christian to become a builder of unity, placing God at the centre of one's life and drawing close to one's brothers and sisters, attentive to their circumstances and needs," so that "we learn to live with one another in charity, so that the message might be fully proclaimed."
God won over the heart of young Saul
"This," Pope Leo continued, "is also the teaching of Paul, the other great apostle we celebrate today and the tireless herald of the Good News."
The Pope said God performed something extraordinary in the heart of the young Saul, winning him over, leading him first to conversion through the Gospel and giving him a new name, before sending him to proclaim it throughout the world.
Like Peter, the Holy Father recalled, Paul bore witness to the Gospel to the point of giving his life in this very city.
"The Apostle to the Gentiles," he said, "allowed himself to be transformed by the power of God's word, which rescued him from the way of violence and led him onto the path of love."
Pope Leo also recalled that Saint Augustine, reflecting on Paul's conversion and mission, observed that "God took the persecutor of the Church and made him a messenger of peace," forgiving all his sins and entrusting him with a ministry through which he could forgive the sins of others.
New Archbishops entrusted with lambs of the Lord's flock
Looking towards these Saints, Pope Leo said they can teach people how to promote unity and serve the truth in charity.
The Pope recalled that, in this spirit, they were preparing to celebrate the ancient and moving rite of conferring the pallia on the Metropolitan Archbishops.
"These bands of white wool adorned with crosses indeed express the commitment of every shepherd—and also of every Christian—to take upon their shoulders the brothers and sisters entrusted to them, like so many lambs of the Lord's flock, and to sacrifice their energy, time, effort and even their lives for them."
Pope Leo noted that at the heart of this self-giving is the desire that "the Gospel may reach everyone, and the whole world may find in it harmony and concord."
The Pope also warmly greeted the members of the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople who were present.
May Sts Peter and Paul sustain us on our journey in the Saviour's footsteps
Finally, the Holy Father invited the faithful: "Let us pray to Saints Peter and Paul that they may sustain us on our journey of communion in the footsteps of the Savior."
Pope Leo concluded by saying that this is the path "that the Lord has laid out for us, the very thing for which He prayed to the Father at the Last Supper, and the goal toward which He has taught us to aspire with confident hope."
Courtesy: Vatican News
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