Pope Leo XIV has called on newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops to imitate Christ by becoming good shepherds who serve God’s people with humility, unity and charity.
The Holy Father made the appeal during Mass for the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, patrons of Rome, celebrated on Monday 29th June in St. Peter’s Basilica. The celebration included the traditional blessing and imposition of the pallium on newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops.
Reflecting on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV described them as the two great pillars of the Church whose lives demonstrate that God can accomplish extraordinary things through imperfect people.
“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,” the Pope said.
The Holy Father recalled that Saint Peter was chosen by Jesus to shepherd His flock and remained a source of unity and communion despite his human weaknesses. Although Peter denied Christ during His Passion, he sincerely repented and faithfully carried out his mission, eventually giving his life as a martyr in Rome.
Pope Leo said Peter’s life teaches Christians to acknowledge their failures, repent and persevere in serving God without losing hope.
He noted that Peter embraced his mission by listening to others, discerning God’s will, correcting errors, encouraging believers and guiding the faithful so that they could work together for the salvation of all.
The Pope said Peter’s example challenges every Christian to become a builder of unity by placing God at the centre of life and showing genuine concern for the needs of others.
Turning to Saint Paul, the Holy Father reflected on the dramatic conversion of Saul, explaining that God transformed a persecutor of the Church into one of its greatest missionaries.
He said Paul’s life demonstrates the power of God’s mercy and the transforming force of the Gospel, which led him from violence to love and inspired him to proclaim Christ throughout the world, even to the point of martyrdom.
Quoting Saint Augustine of Hippo, Pope Leo recalled that God turned “the persecutor of the Church into a messenger of peace,” entrusting him with the ministry of proclaiming forgiveness.
Addressing the new Metropolitan Archbishops, the Pope explained the significance of the pallium, the white woollenband adorned with black crosses worn by metropolitan bishops as a sign of their pastoral office and communion with the Successor of Peter.
He said the pallium symbolises a shepherd’s commitment to carry the people entrusted to his care, just as Christ carries His flock, offering his time, energy and even his life for their salvation.
The Holy Father reminded the archbishops that their ministry should always be rooted in the desire to bring the Gospel to all people so that the world may experience harmony and peace.
The Pope invited the faithful to seek the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul so that they may continue walking together in communion with Christ.
“Let us pray to Saints Peter and Paul that they may sustain us on our journey of communion in the footsteps of the Saviour,” he said.
As the Church celebrated the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV reminded Catholics that true Christian leadership is marked not by power or perfection, but by humble service, repentance, fidelity and a constant commitment to building unity within the Body of Christ.
