Pope Leo XIV: Liturgy Leads the Faithful Back to What is Essential

Vatican City, June 3, 2026: Pope Leo XIV highlighted the importance of rites, signs and symbols in the liturgy, saying they help the faithful pause amid the busyness of life and rediscover their relationship with God.

Speaking during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope continued his catechesis series on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, reflecting on the 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

“With the solemn simplicity of its rhythms, the rite interrupts our frenetic activities, leading us back to what is essential,” Pope Leo said.

The Pope explained that the liturgy offers a different understanding of time and action, one not centred on productivity but on God’s grace. Through the sacred rite, he said, Christians discover “a pause that regenerates the heart” and learn to live in a rhythm guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the reforms brought by Sacrosanctum Concilium, including the use of vernacular languages and the encouragement of active participation, Pope Leo said liturgical rites are not merely external ceremonies but the means through which God’s gifts reach the faithful.

He urged Christians not to remain “strangers or silent spectators” during the liturgy, but to participate fully “with body, mind and heart.”

“Rite gives shape to liturgical action,” the Pope said, adding that it develops a spiritual awareness that enables believers to experience the presence of God through Jesus Christ.

Acknowledging that the structured gestures and prayers of the liturgy may sometimes appear to limit spontaneity, Pope Leo clarified that the purpose of the rite is not to restrict freedom but to guide people towards what is essential.

The Pope also reflected on the importance of signs and symbols, explaining that they help deepen the faithful’s understanding of the mysteries being celebrated. Referring to holy water, he said it reminds Christians of their Baptism and their call to a new life in Christ.

He noted that liturgical symbols, such as kneeling, exchanging the sign of peace and the actions within each Sacrament, have the ability to transform people and strengthen their sense of belonging within the Church.

Concluding his catechesis, Pope Leo encouraged Catholics to appreciate the beauty of the liturgy and allow themselves to be formed by its rites.

A living and devout liturgy, he said, remains “the best resource for reawakening in everyone that openness to the encounter with God.”

Pope Leo XIV: Liturgy Leads the Faithful Back to What is Essential

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