- 28 September, 2025
Vatican City, September 28, 2025 – Pope Leo has highlighted the vital role of ordinary believers in shaping the Church, stressing that the sensus fidei—the innate sense of faith among the people of God—propels the Church towards new horizons.
Addressing thousands in St. Peter’s Square during a special Jubilee Audience for catechists, the Pope described this sensus fidei as “a sixth sense of simple people for the things of God.”
“God is simple and reveals Himself to the simple,” he told the gathering. “For this reason, there is an infallibility of the People of God in believing, of which the infallibility of the Pope is an expression and a service.”
St. Ambrose: Chosen by the People
Recalling the 4th-century figure of St. Ambrose, who rose to become one of the Church’s great bishops and Doctors, the Pope noted how his election stemmed from the faith of the people.
Ambrose, then governor of Milan and not yet baptised, was acclaimed bishop when a child cried out “Ambrose bishop!” and the crowd echoed the call. Despite initially refusing and even fleeing, Ambrose eventually accepted the role, received baptism, and went on to serve with profound impact.
“The people perceived something profound in this man,” said Pope Leo. “Thus the Church had one of its greatest bishops.”
Ambrose’s leadership, the Pope added, enriched the Church’s liturgy, introduced new ways of singing psalms and hymns, and through his preaching, led to the conversion of St. Augustine.
Living Out the Christian Vocation
Pope Leo urged the faithful to embrace their Christian calling in everyday life—whether as parents, entrepreneurs, workers, teachers, priests, or religious.
“Even today this is a grace to ask for: to become Christians while living out the vocation we have received,” he said, reminding listeners that others can sense whether we are truly becoming Christian in our chosen path.
He also underlined the importance of perceiving and intuiting as acts of hope: “To perceive, to intuit, is a way of hoping—let us not forget this!”
Guided by the Faith of the People
Concluding his address, Pope Leo emphasised that God continues to move His Church forward through the sensus fidei.
“To perceive, to intuit, is the instinct of the little ones for the Kingdom that is coming,” he said. “May the Jubilee help us to become little ones according to the Gospel, so as to perceive and serve God’s dreams!”
Courtesy: Vatican News
Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates:
Android: Click here to download
© 2025 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP