Angelus, Pope Leo XIV: "One cannot love on command". Appeals for Yemen and Jordan

At today's Angelus, Sunday 25 October, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace and commented on the Gospel of the commandment of love (Mt 22:34-40). After the prayer he made appeals for Yemen and Jordan and joined the religious leaders expected in Assisi. The official text (Italian) has been published on the Holy See's website.

Love cannot be commanded. "One cannot, in fact, love 'on command'. Love for God is the very need of human desire, which finds its fulfilment in communion with Him," the Pope said (our translation). And: "We cannot truly love God without this love overflowing into love for our brothers and sisters" (our translation).

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus. The Pope quoted the saint of Lisieux: "Only love moves the members of the Church to action; if this love were extinguished, she would no longer proclaim the Gospel" (our translation).

Yemen. After the Angelus, Leo XIV voiced concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Yemen, mentioning in particular the city of Taiz, "where the population suffers from lack of food, water and medical care" (our translation), and called for an end to hostilities.

Jordan. The Pope assured his prayers for those killed and wounded in the terrorist attack on worshippers at the Orthodox church of St. George in Harmoud, expressing closeness to the community and the country.

Assisi and wars. Leo XIV joined spiritually the religious leaders meeting in Assisi on Tuesday for the 40th anniversary of John Paul II's peace gathering: "Never as today is it clear that wars, besides sowing death and destruction, impoverish and damage the world. May the Lord inspire choices of dialogue and peace!" (our translation).

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Sources: official Angelus text, vatican.va (Italian); Vatican News; Vatican Radio.

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