Pope Leo to Atheist: We Are All Seekers of God and His Love

Vatican, Feb 25, 2026: In the February issue of the Italian magazine Piazza San Pietro, dedicated to the theme “Faith that endures suffering,” Pope Leo XIV responds to Rocco, an atheist from Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, who wrote to him about his struggle to believe in God.

Writing in the section reserved for dialogue with readers, the Pope addresses Rocco’s reflections and questions about faith and the search for God.

Rocco: an atheist in search of God

In his letter, Rocco shares a poem he wrote after contemplating sunrises, sunsets, the starry sky and nature — experiences that led him to reflect on the “mystery of harmony.” The poem concludes with the lines: “I believe I do not believe, absolutely certain of nothingness, I continue to yearn for God. My drama is God! My restlessness is God!”

He then poses a series of questions to the Pope: “How is it possible to consider oneself an atheist and love God? I feel this need to love God, but I consider myself an atheist, or perhaps, I believe I am one and deep down I am searching for God?”

Pope Leo’s response

In reply, Pope Leo quotes St Augustine, who wrote, “You were within me, but I was outside myself, and there I sought you!”

“These words are enough to tell you that those who love God, those who seek Him with a sincere heart, cannot be atheists,” the Pope writes.

He emphasises that "the real problem with faith is not believing or not believing in God, but seeking Him!" “He allows himself to be found by the heart that seeks him,” the Pope continues, “and perhaps the right distinction to make is not so much between believers and non-believers, but between seekers and non-seekers of God.”

The Pope further explains that even those who think they do not believe may, in reality, be earnest seekers of God. “You see, Rocco, we are all longing for Love, we are all seekers of God. And therein lies the dignity and beauty of our lives,” the Pope concludes.

Courtesy: Vatican News