Pope Leo XIV addressed journalists on the papal plane returning from Lebanon. The Pope discussed the Holy See's role in peace negotiations, particularly regarding Ukraine. He highlighted Europe's involvement and Italy's potential role in the conflict. Pope Leo XIV reflected on his election and his spiritual commitment to God.
13 days ago
Pope Leo XIV held an inflight press conference on December 2, 2025, returning from his apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon.
He thanked 81 journalists for covering the trip focused on ecumenism, unity, and peace, while receiving a handmade painting as a gift from a Lebanese correspondent.1
The Pope emphasized the Holy See's behind-the-scenes role in regional peace negotiations, aiming to convince parties to abandon violence and pursue dialogue.
He affirmed sustainable peace is possible in Lebanon and the broader region, noting initial conversations with leaders like those in Israel and the US.1
Responding to Hezbollah's message, he reiterated the Church's call for disarmament without further public comment.1
Pope Leo XIV highlighted risks of escalation in the NATO-Russia tensions, including cyberattacks and energy issues amid winter.
He stressed Europe's essential role in peace talks, criticizing initial US exclusion, and suggested Italy could mediate due to its cultural position.1
The Holy See would encourage such mediation for a just peace, despite not being directly involved.1
Reflecting on his conclave experience, the Pope revealed he once considered retirement but surrendered to God's will upon sensing his election.
He described his spirituality as trusting God fully, inspired by Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God," shaped by challenges like terrorism in Peru.1
He expressed awe at public welcomes, viewing them as enthusiasm for Christ's message of peace rather than personal acclaim.1
No visits are confirmed, but the Pope hopes to travel to Africa next, particularly Algeria to honor St. Augustine and foster Christian-Muslim dialogue.
He expressed strong interest in Latin America, including Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru, potentially combining stops, though plans remain undefined.1
Amid US pressure on President Maduro, including threats of military action, Pope Leo XIV urged dialogue and economic measures over invasion.
The Holy See, via bishops and the nuncio, seeks to calm the situation prioritizing the people's suffering.1
He noted shifting US signals, like recent presidential calls, as opportunities for non-violent change.1
Addressing European fears of Islam as a threat, the Pope advocated dialogue and friendship, citing Lebanon's example of coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
He shared stories of mutual aid in war-torn areas to counter anti-immigration sentiments and promote respect across religions.1
His motto, "In the one we are one," extends to building bridges beyond Christianity for global peace and justice.1
Pope Leo XIV viewed Germany's Synodal Way positively as part of broader Church synodality but stressed alignment with universal doctrine to avoid fracture.
He called for inclusive listening within Germany, ensuring marginalized voices are heard, and noted ongoing dialogues between German bishops and the Roman Curia.1
Inculturation allows varied expressions of synodality without rupture, he added.1
Examine how papal retirement decisions reflect Catholic doctrine on divine vocation
Papal retirement, or resignation, serves as a profound lens through which to view Catholic doctrine on divine vocation, emphasizing its irrevocable yet flexible nature, its deep connection to the Cross of Christ, and the primacy of discerning God's will over human norms. In Catholic teaching, the papal office is not a mere administrative role but a sacred calling rooted in discipleship, where the successor of Peter shepherds the flock until divine providence indicates otherwise. Historical instances, such as Pope Benedict XVI's 2013 resignation, illustrate that resignation does not negate the vocation's permanence but reflects a mature obedience to God's ongoing guidance, balancing the lifelong commitment with the Church's greater good. This examination draws on theological reflections and papal documents to explore how such decisions embody the doctrine's core tenets: the vocation as a cross to be borne until consummated, the role of prayerful discernment, and the unique, personal character of each shepherd's call.
Catholic doctrine portrays the papal vocation as an indelible bond, akin to a marriage between the shepherd and Christ's flock, demanding fidelity "unto death." This understanding stems from the belief that the ministry originates from Christ, the Good Shepherd, who entrusts it not as a temporary assignment but as a mission to be consummated through total self-gift. Resignation, therefore, raises questions about whether stepping down constitutes an abandonment of this cross-laden duty. Theological analysis counters this by affirming that the vocation's essence lies in union with Christ's suffering, where human frailty does not preclude divine strength but reveals it. As St. Paul articulates, God's power shines through weakness, carrying the treasure of grace in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7), suggesting that an aging pope's diminished capacities are not obstacles but opportunities for God's providence to sustain the Church.
This perspective rejects mandatory resignation norms based on age or health as potential affronts to God's sovereignty, viewing the episcopal and papal roles as vocations of radical discipleship—neither part-time nor provisional. The minister is called to remain at his post until the Lord decides otherwise, echoing Christ's consummation of his mission on the Cross: "It is finished" (Jn 19:30), followed by his death. Resignation for burdensome reasons might appear as fleeing the cross, yet doctrine clarifies that true abandonment would be neglecting the flock; a good shepherd stays at the foot of the Cross, even if in prayer rather than active governance. Pope Benedict XVI himself articulated this in his resignation announcement, declaring that his decision arose from prayerful certainty that his strengths no longer sufficed for the Petrine ministry, yet he would remain "at the foot of the Crucified Lord" through intercession, not private life. This reflects the doctrine's insistence that the vocation endures forever, transforming active service into passive witness, much like St. Benedict's model of a life wholly devoted to God.
Historically, popes have approached their vocation with reluctance, underscoring its divine imposition rather than human ambition. Pope Pius X, in his first address, likened accepting the pontificate to drinking a chalice he wished to avoid, submitting only to God's will after resistance. This mirrors the doctrine that no one seizes the honor; it is God who calls (Heb 5:4), and once accepted, it binds the recipient in perpetual service. Resignations, rare as they are, thus honor this by prioritizing the Church's needs over personal endurance, without renouncing the cross's spiritual demands.
Central to Catholic teaching on vocation is the process of discernment, where the called individual seeks God's light amid personal limitations. Papal resignations exemplify this, portraying the office not as a rigid contract but as a dynamic response to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Benedict XVI emphasized praying for enlightenment "not for my sake, but for the good of the Church," highlighting obedience to divine direction over canonical or societal pressures. Doctrine affirms that each vocation is uniquely tailored; what the Lord demands of one disciple differs from another, as seen in Jesus' response to Peter about the beloved disciple (Jn 21:21). Thus, evaluating one pope's tenure by another's—such as expecting all to serve until death—overlooks the Spirit's personalized guidance.
This flexibility is evident in Benedict's explanation of the Petrine ministry's roots in martyrdom and witness to the Crucified One, where readiness to suffer defines the role more than worldly power. Resignation, in this light, is not evasion but faithful listening, ensuring the Church's barque is steered by capable hands amid modern challenges. Broader doctrine on ministerial vocations reinforces this: suitability requires divine endowment with power from on high, as the Apostles received at Pentecost (Lk 24:49), transforming the frail into effective witnesses. For priests and bishops alike, authority figures must test candidates' learning, virtue, and calling, admitting only those truly equipped. Applied to the papacy, resignation becomes a supreme act of humility, where the pope, as disciple, yields to God's timing, preventing scandal from incapacity and safeguarding the vocation's fruitfulness.
Papal retirement decisions challenge misconceptions of vocation as unyielding endurance, instead illuminating its Christocentric depth. They remind the faithful that the Church belongs to Christ, who guarantees its stability (Mt 28:20), freeing ministers from panic over transitions. Benedict's resignation, though shocking amid scandals, fostered trust in providence rather than human images of papal invincibility. Doctrine thus evolves not through contradiction but clarification: while vocations like priesthood demand total dedication, including celibacy as a consecrated state, the papal call uniquely intertwines personal frailty with communal welfare, allowing rare resignations without doctrinal rupture.
In essence, these decisions reflect a vocation that is irrevocable in commitment yet adaptable in expression, always oriented toward the Cross. They underscore that true strength lies in surrender to God's will, ensuring the shepherd's legacy endures through prayer and the election of a successor.