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Pope Leo XIV addressed archbishops worldwide, emphasizing the importance of fraternity and unity within the Catholic Church. Speaking during a Mass on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at St. Peter’s Basilica, he highlighted the need for unity in all relationships within the church.
“The whole church needs fraternity, which must be present in all of our relationships, whether between lay people and priests, priests and bishops, bishops and the pope,” Pope Leo stated. He further emphasized that fraternity is essential in pastoral care, ecumenical dialogue, and relations with the world.
During the celebration, Pope Leo revived a tradition initiated by St. John Paul II in 1983 by personally placing palliums on newly appointed archbishops. The pallium symbolizes an archbishop's unity with the pope and his responsibility to care for his flock. This tradition had been altered by Pope Francis in 2015 when new archbishops were invited to concelebrate Mass but received their palliums from a nuncio in their own dioceses.
The Vatican reported that 54 archbishops from over two dozen countries received palliums this year, including eight from the United States: Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington; Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight of Kansas City; Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of Omaha; Archbishop Robert G. Casey of Cincinnati; Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston; Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob of Milwaukee; Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston; and Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit.
Reflecting on Sts. Peter and Paul during his homily, Pope Leo noted their differences yet shared martyrdom united them with Christ. “Our patron saints followed different paths... Yet this did not prevent them from living...a fruitful harmony in diversity,” he said.
Pope Leo urged Catholics to learn from these apostles' example of fraternity and openness to change, stressing the need for faith renewal to meet new challenges effectively.
A delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople attended the Mass alongside members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
“I would like to confirm on this solemn feast that my episcopal ministry is at the service of unity,” Pope Leo declared before praying with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
He concluded by reminding followers that true discipleship involves walking a path marked by humility and mercy despite opposition or persecution.
