Pope Leo XIV made an historic visit to the Presidential Quirinal of Rome today and gave an address reminiscent of Pope Benedict XVI, encouraging the defense of human life from conception until natural death and warning the Italian people to defend, cherish and promote their deep and meaningful traditions against the empty fashions of the day.
Speech by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his visit to the Quirinale: religious tradition, natural family, respect for life from conception to death, cultural identity
This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV visited the Quirinale Palace on the occasion of his official visit to the Hon. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.
Below we publish the beautiful speech that Pope Leo XIV gave to those present during the meeting.
We particularly appreciate the restoration of the ceremonial protocols rejected by his immediate predecessor the use of the choir dress with the traditional red mozzetta and the ancient stole already used, most recently, by Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (but with Pope Leo's distinctive coat of arms placed in the lower third oval), and the return of the title of "Primate of Italy," relegated to a mere "historical title.".
There are many passages in the papal address that signal a return to the centrality of values (including Catholic ones):
- Reference to "this country's long religious and cultural tradition. We see signs of it, for example, in the countless churches and bell towers that dot its territory";
- A request for "commitment to promoting choices at various levels in favor of the family, supporting their efforts, promoting their values, protecting their needs and rights. 'Father,' 'mother,' 'son,' 'daughter,' 'grandfather,' 'grandmother,' are, in the Italian tradition, words that naturally express and inspire feelings of love, respect, and dedication, sometimes heroic, to the good of the domestic community and therefore to that of society as a whole";
- Reference to "the fundamental importance, at every level, of respecting and protecting life, in all its stages, from conception to old age, up to the moment of death";
- Reference to "the importance of constructively integrating new arrivals into the values and traditions of Italian society [...]. In this regard, I emphasize how precious it is for each of us to love and share our own history and culture, with its hallmarks and expressions: the more we serenely recognize and love who we are, the easier it is to encounter and integrate others without fear and with an open heart.
- An expression of regret for "a certain tendency, in these times, to underestimate, at various levels, the models and values that have developed over the centuries and that shape our cultural identity, sometimes even attempting to erase their historical and human relevance. Let us not despise what our forefathers experienced and what they passed on to us, even at the cost of great sacrifices. [...] Cherishing the memory of those who came before us, treasuring the traditions that have made us what we are, is important for looking to the present and the future with awareness, serenity, responsibility, and a sense of perspective."
__
Mr. President,
I thank you for your kind words and for the invitation to come here to the Quirinale, a Palace so closely linked to the history of the Catholic Church and the memory of numerous Pontiffs. As Bishop of Rome and Primate of Italy, it is significant for me to renew, with this visit, the strong bond that unites the See of Peter to the Italian people, whom you represent, within the framework of the cordial bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See, consistently marked by sincere friendship and effective mutual cooperation. This is, after all, a happy union rooted in the history of this peninsula and in the long religious and cultural tradition of this country. We see signs of this, for example, in the countless churches and bell towers that dot the landscape, often veritable treasure troves of art and devotion, where the innate creativity of this people, combined with its genuine and solid faith, has given us testimony to such beauty: artistic, certainly, but above all moral and human.
I thank you for your kind words and for the invitation to come here to the Quirinale, a Palace so closely linked to the history of the Catholic Church and the memory of numerous Pontiffs. As Bishop of Rome and Primate of Italy, it is significant for me to renew, with this visit, the strong bond that unites the See of Peter to the Italian people, whom you represent, within the framework of the cordial bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See, consistently marked by sincere friendship and effective mutual cooperation. This is, after all, a happy union rooted in the history of this peninsula and in the long religious and cultural tradition of this country. We see signs of this, for example, in the countless churches and bell towers that dot the landscape, often veritable treasure troves of art and devotion, where the innate creativity of this people, combined with its genuine and solid faith, has given us testimony to such beauty: artistic, certainly, but above all moral and human.
I take this opportunity of our meeting to express the Holy See's heartfelt gratitude for what the Italian authorities have done and continue to do on the occasion of various challenging ecclesial events centered in Rome and of universal resonance. I would particularly like to express my gratitude for the efforts made at various levels on the occasion of the death of my venerated predecessor, Pope Francis. Right here, at the Quirinale, he said: "My roots are in this country" (Address during the Official Visit to the President of the Italian Republic, June 10, 2017), and certainly his love for the Italian land and people found a touching and warm response in those days, which was also manifested in the great and thoughtful commitment that was made during the subsequent Conclave for the election of the new Pontiff.
I would once again like to express my heartfelt "thank you" to you, Mr. President, and to the entire country for the beautiful example of welcome, as well as the efficient organization, that Italy has been offering for months during the Jubilee Year, in various aspects—logistics, security, preparation and management of infrastructure and services, and much more—opening its arms and showing its hospitable face to the many pilgrims who flock here from every part of the world. The universal Church is celebrating the Jubilee of hope. Pope Francis, in the Bull Spes non confundit, with which he proclaimed it in May 2024, emphasized the importance of "paying attention to the great good that is present in the world so as not to fall into the temptation of thinking we are overwhelmed by evil and violence" (no. 7). I believe that the beautiful synergy and collaboration we are experiencing these days already constitutes a sign of hope for all those who come with faith to cross the Holy Door and pray at the tombs of Peter and the Apostles.
In a few years, we will celebrate the centenary of the Lateran Accords. All the more reason, in this regard, to reiterate the importance of the mutual distinction between these spheres. Based on this, in a climate of cordial respect, the Catholic Church and the Italian State collaborate for the common good, in the service of the human person, whose inviolable dignity must always be paramount in decision-making processes and in action, at all levels, for social development, especially for the protection of the most vulnerable and needy. To this end, I praise and encourage the mutual commitment to inform all collaboration in light of and in full respect for the Concordat of 1984.
As is sadly evident, we live in times in which, alongside many signs of hope, there are many situations of grave suffering that wound humanity worldwide and require urgent and far-sighted responses. The first commitment I would like to recall, in this regard, is that of peace. Numerous wars devastate our planet, and as we look at the images, read the news, listen to the voices, and meet the people painfully affected by them, the words of my Predecessors resonate powerfully and prophetically. How can we fail to recall the irrefutable yet ignored warning of Benedict XV during the First World War (see Letter to the Leaders of the Belligerent Peoples, 1 August 1917)? And, on the eve of the second, that of Venerable Pius XII (cf. Radio Message to Governments and Peoples in the Imminent Danger of War, August 24, 1939)? Let us look at the faces of those overwhelmed by the irrational ferocity of those who mercilessly plan death and destruction. Let us listen to their cry and remember, with Saint Pope John XXIII, that "every human being is a person, that is, a nature endowed with intelligence and free will; and therefore is the subject of rights and duties that flow immediately and simultaneously from his very nature: rights and duties that are therefore universal, inviolable and inalienable" (Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris, April 11, 1963, 5). I therefore renew my heartfelt appeal to continue working to restore peace in every part of the world and to increasingly cultivate and promote the principles of justice, equity, and cooperation among peoples, which are its indispensable foundation (cf. Saint Paul VI, Message for the Celebration of the First World Day of Peace, January 1, 1968).
In this regard, I express my appreciation for the Italian Government's commitment to the many situations of hardship linked to war and poverty, particularly for the children of Gaza, also in collaboration with the Bambino Gesù Hospital. These are strong and effective contributions to the construction of a dignified, peaceful, and prosperous coexistence for all members of the human family. This goal is certainly furthered by the shared commitment that the Italian State and the Holy See have always shown and continue to show in favor of multilateralism. This is a crucial value. The complex challenges of our time, in fact, make it more necessary than ever to seek and adopt shared solutions. It is therefore essential to implement these dynamics and processes, recalling their original objectives, aimed primarily at resolving conflicts and fostering development (cf. Francis, Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, October 3, 2020, 172), promoting transparent language and avoiding ambiguities that can provoke divisions (cf. Id., Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps, January 9, 2025).
We are preparing to celebrate, in the coming year, an important anniversary: the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy, on October 3, 1226. This offers us the opportunity to emphasize the urgent issue of caring for our "common home." Saint Francis taught us to praise the Creator while respecting all creatures, launching his message from the "geographical heart" of the Italian Peninsula and bringing it down through the generations to us through the beauty of his writings and the witness of himself and his brothers. For this reason, I believe that Italy has received a special mission to transmit to its peoples a culture that recognizes the earth "as a sister with whom we share our existence, and as a beautiful mother who welcomes us into her arms" (Francis, Encyclical Letter Laudato Si', 1).
In recent decades, as we know, we have witnessed a significant decline in the birth rate in Europe. This requires commitment to promoting choices at various levels in favor of the family, supporting its efforts, promoting its values, and protecting its needs and rights. "Father," "mother," "son," "daughter," "grandfather," and "grandmother" are, in the Italian tradition, words that naturally express and evoke feelings of love, respect, and dedication, sometimes heroic, to the good of the domestic community and therefore to that of society as a whole. In particular, I would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring all families the indispensable support of dignified employment, under fair conditions and with attention to the needs of motherhood and fatherhood. Let us do everything possible to give confidence to families, especially young families, so that they can look to the future with serenity and grow in harmony. This framework encompasses the fundamental importance, at every level, of respecting and protecting life, in all its stages, from conception to old age, up to the moment of death (see Francis, Address to the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, September 27, 2021). I hope this awareness will continue to grow, including with regard to the accessibility of medical care and medicines, according to each person's needs.
I express gratitude for the assistance this country offers with great generosity to migrants, who increasingly knock on its doors, as well as its commitment to the fight against human trafficking. These are complex challenges of our time, from which Italy has never shied away. I encourage you to always maintain a lively attitude of openness and solidarity. At the same time, I would like to emphasize the importance of constructively integrating those arriving into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual gift that takes place in this encounter of peoples may truly enrich and benefit all. In this regard, I emphasize how precious it is for each of us to love and communicate our own history and culture, with its signs and expressions: the more we serenely recognize and love who we are, the easier it is to encounter and integrate others without fear and with an open heart.
In this regard, there is a certain tendency, in these times, to not appreciate enough, at various levels, models and values that have matured over the centuries and which mark our cultural identity, sometimes even pretending to erase them. Let us appreciate its historical and human significance. Let us not disdain what our forefathers experienced and what they passed on to us, even at the cost of great sacrifices. Let us not be captivated by massifying and fluid models that promote only a semblance of freedom, only to make people dependent on forms of control such as passing fads, commercial strategies, or other means (see Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Homily at the Mass pro eligendo Romano Pontifice, April 18, 2005). Cherishing the memory of those who came before us, treasuring the traditions that have made us what we are, is important for looking to the present and the future with awareness, serenity, responsibility, and a sense of perspective.
Mr. President, in conclusion, I would like to express my warmest wishes for every success to you and, through you, to all the Italian people. Italy is a country of immense wealth, often humble and hidden, and therefore sometimes needs to be discovered and rediscovered. This is the wonderful adventure I encourage all Italians to embark on, to draw hope from it and confidently face present and future challenges. Thank you.
%2010.51.46%E2%80%AFa.%C2%A0m..png)
