The deed is done; SSPX consecrates bishops without Papal mandate; an act of schism, disobedience and incurring automatic excommunication

 

Society of Saint Pius X consecrates four new bishops without papal mandate  (ANSA)

Church

• Holy See
• Pope Leo XIV
• bishops

Lefebvrians consecrate four new bishops without a papal mandate

At the headquarters of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X in Switzerland, Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay preside over the episcopal consecration, and the Superior General declared: "Any penalties or censures imposed for this act have no value whatsoever."

By Salvatore Cernuzio 

The seamless garment of Christ, which Pope Leo XIV had urged in a heartfelt letter on June 29 "not to tear apart," has now, in the Vatican's view, been torn.

This morning, Wednesday, July 1, in Ecône, Switzerland—the headquarters of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX)—the Lefebvrists, followers of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, consecrated four new bishops without a papal mandate. 

They did so even though the new bishops answered affirmatively to the liturgical question, "Habetis mandatum apostolicum?" ("Do you have the Apostolic Mandate?"). They justified the consecrations as necessary to ensure the continuity and very survival of their society, despite the Holy See's efforts at dialogue and repeated warnings against proceeding with what it viewed as a schismatic act. Those warnings came from Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as from Pope Leo XIV himself in a letter issued two days before the consecrations.

The Ceremony at Ecône

More than 1,000 priests, religious men and women, and about 15,000 people attended the ceremony, which began at 9:00 a.m. in a large white marquee next to the FSSPX seminary. The event was livestreamed in six languages on the society's official website, where a countdown to the ceremony had been running in recent days, accompanied by commemorative merchandise and other related events.

The four bishops consecrated today are Pascal Schreiber, a 53-year-old Swiss priest ordained at Ecône in 1998; Michael Goldade, originally from North Dakota and raised in Kansas, United States; Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, 42; and Marc Happier, 36, both French.

The main celebrant performing the consecrations was Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, with Bishop Bernard Fellay serving as co-consecrator. They are the two surviving bishops among the four originally consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre on June 30, 1988. According to Catholic canon law, carrying out such consecrations without a papal mandate incurs latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication.

Superior General Pagliarani's Address

At the beginning of the liturgy, the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, Fr. Davide Pagliarani, delivered a brief address saying, "We are prepared to pay any price to save the Church."

Read also

13/05/2026

Cardinal Fernández to Pius X Society: Ordaining new bishops is schismatic act

According to the Superior General, it is therefore "a most serious duty" to "hand on the grace of the episcopate to these priests."

"We consider that any penalties or censures imposed for this act have no value whatsoever," he added.

For the Lefebvrists, their superior concluded, today is "a historic day" and "a celebration." For the universal Church, however, it is a day on which, in the Vatican's assessment, an old wound has been reopened—the wound of division.

First Saint of the Day for July; the Apostle to California

 

St. Junipero Serra

Feastday: July 1
Patron: of Vocations
Birth: 1713
Death: 1784
Beatified: Pope John Paul II
Canonized: September 23, 2015, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., by Pope Francis

Junípero Serra, originally named Miguel José, was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, Majorca, Spain. His parents, Antonio Nadal Serra and Margarita Rosa Ferrer, were farmers. Baptized at St. Peter's Church in Petra on the same day, Junípero would go on to become a renowned figure in the history of California.

In his early years, Serra attended the primary school run by the Franciscans in Petra. At the age of 15, his parents entrusted him to a cathedral canon in Palma, where he began attending philosophy classes at the Franciscan monastery of San Francisco.

Serra took his first step toward religious life when he became a novice at the Convento de Jesús near Palma on September 14, 1730. A year later, on September 15, he made his profession and chose the name Junípero in honor of St. Francis' companion. Serra pursued his studies in philosophy and theology at the Convento de San Francisco. The exact date of his ordination to the priesthood remains unknown, but it is believed to have occurred in December 1738. In 1742, he earned his doctorate in theology from the Lullian University in Palma. Shortly after, in January 1749, he was appointed the primary professor of theology at the university and was called to serve as an Indian missionary in America.

Accompanied by Francisco Palóu, Serra set sail for America on April 13, 1749. They arrived in Vera Cruz, Mexico, on December 7, 1749. Instead of using the provided horses, Serra chose to walk the 250 miles from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. On January 1, 1750, they reached San Fernando College, having spent the previous night at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Within six months, Serra responded to an urgent call for volunteers for the Sierra Gorda missions. He joined the mission and spent his time between 1750 and 1758 overseeing the construction of a church, promoting religious and economic development, and learning the Otomí language to effectively teach the Pame Indians. Serra's leadership led to the building of mission churches in the other four towns as well.

Afterward, Serra was assigned to the college of San Fernando, where he held various positions, including choir director, master of novices, college counselor, and confessor. He also preached missions as a home missionary in different cities in Mexico. In 1767, he was appointed the president of the ex-Jesuit missions of Baja California.

Serra's enthusiasm and dedication to spreading the faith led him to volunteer for expeditions to Upper California in 1768. He embarked on the journey and reached Loreto on April 1, where he oversaw the establishment of 15 missions, from San José del Cabo to Santa María. Serra's efforts continued as he founded nine missions in Upper California, including San Diego, San Carlos, San Antonio, San Gabriel, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara, and San Buenaventura. He also participated in the founding of Presidio Santa Barbara.

Throughout his missionary work, Serra faced health challenges, including leg and foot issues, which required him to be carried on a stretcher during certain parts of his journey. Despite his physical afflictions, he dedicated the next 15 years of his life to evangelizing in Upper California.

Serra passed away on August 28, 1784, at Mission San Carlos, where he was buried in the church he had constructed. By the end of 1784, the number of baptized Indians at the first nine missions had reached 6,736, with 4,646 Christianized Indians residing in them.

Junípero Serra was known for his zeal, optimism, and devotion to his converts. He fought for the freedom of the Church against royal interference and played a significant role in the establishment and expansion of missions in California. His beatification process began in 1934 and concluded in 1949. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and later canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015. Junípero Serra is widely recognized as the Apostle of California, with numerous monuments and memorials commemorating his legacy along the Camino Real.

Peter's Pence rakes in almost $ 66 million in donations but spends $ 68 million, helping support 74 countries

 

Vatican

Peter’s Pence 2025: €54.5 million to support Pope’s mission of charity

The 2025 Annual Disclosure for Peter’s Pence shows that offerings made to the Holy Father sustained his service to the universal Church and supported projects of direct assistance in 74 countries.

Vatican News

Peter’s Pence received €57.6 million in income in 2025, while expenses borne by the Fund amounted to €59.8 million, according to the 2025 Annual Disclosure.

The report explains that Peter’s Pence receives offerings made to the Holy Father in order to sustain his mission for the universal Church and support numerous initiatives in favor of those most in need.

Although expenses exceeded income by €2.2 million, the report notes that the deficit was due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

Donations received amounted to €54.5 million. They came through three main channels: the diocesan collection held on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, direct offerings, and inheritance legacies.

The largest share came from dioceses, which contributed €34.7 million, or 63.6 percent of the total. Private donors gave €5.4 million, while foundations contributed €13 million and religious institutes €1.4 million.

Among donations from dioceses and private individuals, the United States accounted for the largest amount, with €14.2 million, followed by Italy with €3.1 million and Brazil with €2.1 million.

Supporting the Pope’s apostolic mission

In 2025, Peter’s Pence made contributions totaling €54.5 million.

Of this amount, €41.2 million was allocated to support the activities of the Holy See in service of the Holy Father’s apostolic mission, while €13.3 million was directed toward projects providing direct assistance to those in need.

The report notes that expenses connected with supporting the Holy Father’s mission totaled €404.5 million in 2025. Peter’s Pence covered approximately 10 percent of that amount.

These activities include support for local Churches in difficulty and in specific contexts of evangelization, worship, message diffusion, apostolic nunciatures, charitable service, the preservation of historic patrimony, academic institutions, human development, education, science and culture, and initiatives related to life and family.

Projects in 74 countries

The Peter’s Pence Fund also financed 252 direct assistance projects in 74 countries, for a total of €13.3 million.

These projects were grouped into three areas: extending the evangelizing presence, social projects, and support for the evangelizing presence.

Funding included the construction of churches, convents, pastoral centers, classrooms and schools, as well as aid for Gaza, support for local communities, and assistance to Churches in mission countries and areas of special need.

Africa received the largest share of direct assistance funding, with €5.2 million for 73 projects. Asia received €3 million, Europe €2.6 million, the Americas €2.4 million, and Oceania €100,000.

The report also notes that, in Europe, several scholarships were awarded to priests, seminarians and religious from Africa, Latin America and Asia to study at pontifical universities, and humanitarian aid was provided for the Ukrainian population.

The report closes with Pope Leo XIV’s appeal: “Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.”

Pope Leo XIV makes final appeal to SSPX.

 

breviary with photo of founder of the Society of Saint Pius X  (AFP or licensors)

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV

Pope’s final appeal to Society of Saint Pius X: Do not tear the seamless garment of Christ

The letter sent by Pope Leo XIV to the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X is dated 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two days before the Lefebvrites'’ announced episcopal consecrations without a pontifical mandate, which would constitute a new schismatic act.

Vatican News

As he had announced in recent days during his meeting with journalists at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo has made a final appeal to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, urging it not to proceed with the consecration of four new bishops without a pontifical mandate, scheduled to take place in Écône, Switzerland, on the morning of 1 July.

“With a paternal heart, and aware of the responsibility entrusted to me by the Lord as the Successor of the Apostle Peter, I address you and, through you, the bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful connected to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X,” Pope Leo XIV writes. “The Church recognizes the devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition that characterize many people and communities connected to your Fraternity. This has motivated the attentive and generous attitude that my Predecessors have consistently shown to you.”

“In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” the Pope continues. “I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit and, in some cases, even valid reception of the Sacraments, which they love and seek for their sanctification.”

“The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful,” the Pope writes in the letter, which was composed in French and addressed to the Superior General of the Fraternity, Fr. Davide Pagliarani. “I pray for you, because to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity. May the Lord enlighten your consciences and awaken your hearts. With a sorrowful yet hopeful heart, I feel it is my duty, through the authority received from Christ, to ask you to desist from your intended act. I entrust these intentions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel.”

The Pope is thus once again calling on the Lefebvrites' to refrain from carrying out the schismatic act of episcopal consecrations without a pontifical mandate. Significantly, the central argument advanced in the letter concerns the spiritual welfare of the faithful attached to the Society of Saint Pius X, since such an act would render the sacraments, they receive illicit and, in certain cases—namely sacramental confession and marriage—even invalid.

The Relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in United States thanks to Knights of Columbus

 

Sacred Heart visionary’s relics travel US amid nation’s 250th anniversary

Gina Christian

Jun 28, 2026

People venerate the major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2026. The Knights of Columbus brought the relics of the French Visitation nun and mystic to the United States for a multi-city tour. The saint experienced visions of Jesus revealing his Sacred Heart. (OSV News photo/Paul Haring, Knights of Columbus)

The relics of the French nun to whom Christ revealed his Sacred Heart will be available for public veneration in the U.S. at a number of locations, as the nation – newly consecrated to the Sacred Heart – marks its 250th anniversary.

The Knights of Columbus announced June 23 that major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque will travel to Washington and Baltimore from June 29 through July 5.

The relics – which include the saint’s clavicles, two of her ribs and a small piece of her brain – arrived in the U.S. in early June, ahead of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ formal consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart during their annual spring plenary assembly in Orlando, Florida.

The lay leader of the Knights of Columbus in France, Arnaud Bouthéon, personally supervised the relics’ transatlantic transfer from the Chapel of the Apparitions at the Monastery of the Visitation in Parais-le-Monial, where they are housed along with a wax effigy of the 17th-century saint’s body.

Between 1673 and 1675, the Visitation nun experienced visions of Christ showing his Sacred Heart and calling on humanity to experience his love, mercy and tenderness.

The devotion – with roots in Scripture and patristic writings, and widely extolled by a number of popes – spread through the efforts of St. Claude La Colombière, the Jesuit confessor of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and the Society of Jesus.

The saint’s relics were on display from June 24-27 at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

From June 29 through July 4, the relics will be available for public veneration at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington. Access hours vary slightly during that time, with the relics on public display from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 29-July 1, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 2-4.

From July 5-6, the relics will be available at Baltimore’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Public veneration will begin with a 10:30 a.m. Mass on July 5 celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, and will last until 7 p.m. that day. On July 6, the relics will be available from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the basilica.

Following public veneration in Baltimore, the relics will return to the Blessed Michael McGivney Center for viewing July 8-11 and July 15-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The relics are scheduled to be transported to Denver Aug. 1-6 for the Knights of Columbus’ annual convention, after which they will return to the center in New Haven for public veneration Sept. 25-27.

The Last Saints of the Day for June: The 1st Martyrs of Rome

 

First Martyrs of Rome

Many martyrs who suffered death under Emperor Nero . Owing to their executions during the reign of Emperor Nero, they are called the Neronian Martyrs, and they are also termed the Protomartyrs of Rome, being honored by the site in Vatican City called the Piazza of the Protomartyrs. These early Christians were disciples of the Apostles, and they endured hideous tortures and ghastly deaths following the burning of Rome in the infamous fire of 62. Their dignity in suffering, and their fervor to the end, did not provide Nero or the Romans with the public diversion desired. Instead, the faith was firmly planted in the Eternal City.

Some martyrs were burned as living torches at evening banquets, some crucified, others were fed to wild animals. These martyrs died before Sts. Peter and Paul and are called “disciples of the Apostles. . . whom the Holy Roman church sent to their Lord before the Apostles’ death.”

The moment Archbishop Checchio receives the Palium

 

Archbishops are called to build unity, serve the truth in charity, pope says

June 29, 2026

by Carol Glatz/Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With bishops leading the way, every Christian should help build unity in the Church and the world by putting Christ at the center and drawing others near while being attentive to their needs, Pope Leo XIV said.  
 
"Communion within the Church is not built by clinging rigidly to one’s own position, but by seeking, in all hearts, points of encounter in the truth, in whose light alone each person becomes a means of growth for another," he said during his homily at Mass on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29

"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," he said.
 
The feast day celebration in St. Peter's Basilica included the traditional blessing of the pallium, the woolen band adorned with crosses that the heads of archdioceses wear around their shoulders over their Mass vestments and symbolizes an archbishop's unity with the pope and his authority and responsibility to care for the flock the pope entrusted to him.
 
The pallium, Pope Leo said, expresses "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. They do so in order that the Gospel may reach everyone, and the whole world may find in it harmony and concord."
 
According to the Vatican, 35 archbishops from 19 countries who were named over the past 12 months received the palliums. Four of them were from the United States: Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama; Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York; Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver; and Archbishop James F. Checchio of New Orleans.
 
The pope blessed the palliums after his homily and after they were brought up from the crypt above the tomb of St. Peter. Each archbishop, wearing red vestments, then approached Pope Leo by the altar and knelt as the pope placed the pallium over their shoulders. Each shared an embrace with the pope and a few words.
 
In his homily, the pope reflected on Sts. Peter and Paul -- two very different saints who were martyred on different days and yet share the same feast day.
 
Pope Leo called them "two pillars of the Church," who provide important examples for today's bishops and all Christians.
 
St. Peter knew 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," the pope said.
 
When a controversial issue threatened to divide the community, he said, St. Peter listened to his brothers and made a decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, that preserved communion and ushered in a new era for the entire People of God.
 
St. Peter holding the keys represents his "faithful and patient concern for unity," he said, because a key doesn't break down a door, rather it "opens and closes them by finding the proper levers within and guiding their movements, so that locks may release, bolts withdraw, and doors turn freely on their hinges, thereby joining rooms together and transforming many isolated spaces into one welcoming home."
 
"In this light, we can interpret the mission entrusted by the Lord to Peter and his successors for the benefit of the entire holy People of God. It is a mission 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," he said.
 
St. Peter's example, therefore, "is an invitation to every Christian to become a builder of unity, placing God at the center of one’s life and drawing close to one’s brothers and sisters, attentive to their circumstances and needs," he said, so that God's message "might be fully proclaimed."
 
St. Paul, whose symbols are the book and the sword, is the "tireless herald of the Good News," he said.
 
The symbols represent the word of God being capable of penetrating and transforming even the hardest of hearts, as was seen with St. Paul's conversion, who was led away from violence and onto "the path of love," he said.
 
St. Augustine said, "God took the persecutor of the Church and made him a messenger of peace. He forgave him all his sins and placed him in a ministry where he could forgive the sins of others," Pope Leo added.
 
"Let us pray to Sts. Peter and Paul that they may sustain us on our journey of communion in the footsteps of the Savior," he said.
 
Keeping with a long tradition, a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, led by Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of Chalcedon, was present at the Mass.
 
The pope and the Orthodox metropolitan embraced behind the altar during the exchange of the sign of peace, and they descended the stairs below the main altar to pray at St. Peter's tomb after Mass ended.
Before processing out of the basilica, the pope also stood a few moments in prayer before the dark bronze statue of St. Peter, which is clothed on his feast day with ornate vestments and a jeweled tiara.
 
Sts. Peter and Paul understood and proclaimed the Gospel with their own distinctive voice, Pope Leo said before praying the Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.
 
Their stark differences do not make them adversaries, he said, on the contrary, "they became the symbol of the many other diversities that the one Spirit unites into a single whole."
 
"The patron saints of the Church of Rome experienced the challenges of communion; they knew it, served it, and proclaimed it as a sacrament of divine life," the pope said. "Their witness has contributed decisively to ensuring that the Christian presence in history is directed not toward dominion, but toward service, unity and reconciliation."

On this Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul Pope Leo XIV imposes the pallium on the new Archbishops including Archbishop James Checchio of New Orleans

 

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• saints and blessed
• mass
• homily
• Rome

Pope invites new Archbishops to be 'Good Shepherds' on Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

During the Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to be inspired by the two Patrons of Rome who, despite their flaws, became extraordinary witnesses to the Gospel. He also invites the new Metropolitan Archbishops receiving their pallium to imitate the Lord and be Good Shepherds to the faithful entrusted to them.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"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 offered this reminder during the Mass he celebrated Monday morning for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Patrons of Rome, in St. Peter's Basilica.

READ POPE LEO XIV'S FULL HOMILY

During the Mass, there was the traditional blessing and imposition of the pallium for the new Metropolitan Archbishops.

Imposition of the pallium (@Vatican Media)

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."

Turning first to Peter, the Pope recalled that the first Pope fostered unity and communion even in times of division and turmoil.

Peter was not perfect

This magnanimity, however, Pope Leo observed, "does not mean that Peter is perfect."

Indeed, the Pope recalled that during the Passion, Peter denied the Master, only later shedding sincere tears of repentance. Paul himself, in different circumstances, rebuked Peter for the inconsistency of 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, ultimately 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."

Peter's example, he said, "is an invitation to every Christian to become a builder of unity, placing God at the center 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."

Statue of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica (@Vatican Media)

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."

God, the Pope said, accomplished something wonderful in the heart of the young Saul, winning him over, bringing him first to conversion to the Gospel and giving him a new name, and then sending him to proclaim it throughout the world.

Like Peter, the Holy Father recalled, Paul bore witness to the Gospel even 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 recalled that Saint Augustine, commenting 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 placing him in a ministry where he could forgive the sins of others.

New Archbishops entrusted with lambs of the Lord's flock

Looking to these Saints, Pope Leo suggested, can teach us how to promote unity and serve the truth in charity.

The Pope recalled that, in this spirit, they were about to celebrate the ancient and moving rite of the conferral of 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 selflessness is the desire that "the Gospel may reach everyone, and the whole world may find in it harmony and concord."

The Pope also said that, with these sentiments, he joyfully extended cordial greetings to the members of the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople present.

May Sts. Peter and Paul sustain us on our journey in the Savior's footsteps

Finally, the Holy Father invited, "Let us pray to Saints Peter and Paul that they may sustain us on our journey of communion in the footsteps of the Savior."

This, Pope Leo concluded, 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."