In a series of powerful addresses delivered over the first weekend of October 2025, Pope Leo has placed the Catholic Church at the heart of some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises. Speaking to more than 10,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of Missionaries and Migrants, the pontiff issued a clarion call for compassion, hospitality, and renewed commitment to peace—messages that have reverberated far beyond the Vatican’s walls.
The Mass, held as part of the Catholic Church’s ongoing holy year, brought together faithful from 95 countries under a persistent, if gentle, Roman rain. Yet the weather did little to dampen spirits or the urgency of Pope Leo’s appeals. According to Reuters, the Pope’s homily urged Catholics worldwide to “care for immigrants and not meet them with indifference or discrimination,” a sentiment that has become a hallmark of his papacy.
“No one should be forced to flee, nor exploited or mistreated because of their situation as foreigners or people in need! Human dignity must always come first,” Pope Leo declared, as reported by Vatican News. His words, delivered in his characteristically reserved style, underscored a vision of the Church as “entirely missionary”—a community whose mission is defined by hospitality, compassion, and practical acts of solidarity.
This message comes at a particularly charged moment in global politics. Just days before the Mass, Pope Leo had directly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, openly questioning whether such stances align with Catholic pro-life teachings. While his Sunday homily did not mention any country or leader by name, the context was clear: the Pope’s call for welcome and support for migrants was both a reaffirmation of Church doctrine and a subtle, yet unmistakable, rebuke to those advocating for stricter immigration controls.
The response among Catholics has been divided. Some conservative factions, already wary of what they see as the Vatican’s increasing engagement with political issues, voiced their discontent following the Pope’s earlier critique of Trump. Yet, for many others, Pope Leo’s steady advocacy signals a Church willing to confront uncomfortable truths and stand with the marginalized, even when it means challenging powerful political figures.
“The Church is entering a new missionary age,” Pope Leo proclaimed, framing the current era as one of spiritual renewal through the act of welcoming those from the global South. His words echoed throughout the square, resonating with pilgrims who had traveled great distances to participate in the holy year’s celebrations. The Vatican’s official position, as reinforced by the Pope’s address, is clear: the presence of migrants is not a burden but an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal within the Church.
But Pope Leo’s vision was not limited to the plight of immigrants. At the close of the Mass on October 6, he turned his attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader crisis of antisemitism that has flared across the globe. “I continue to be saddened by the immense suffering of Palestinians in Gaza,” he said, according to Herald Malaysia, expressing hope that a peace deal between Israel and Hamas would be finalized “as soon as possible.”
His call was both urgent and inclusive. Addressing world leaders directly, the Pope urged them to “commit themselves” to the peace negotiations, which he noted had recently shown “significant steps forward.” He asked the faithful to “remain united in prayer” for a “just and lasting peace,” signaling the Vatican’s active engagement in international diplomacy while grounding its efforts in the spiritual practices of its members.
Pope Leo’s remarks also acknowledged the rise of antisemitic hatred worldwide, a concern made all the more immediate by the October 2 attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England. “He voiced his concern over the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world,” Vatican News reported, making it clear that the Church’s mission of solidarity extends to all those facing persecution, regardless of faith or nationality.
The Pope’s global perspective was further evident in his prayers for the victims of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the Philippines on October 7. “I express my closeness to the dear Filipino people,” he said, urging those affected to “remain united and supportive.” In doing so, Pope Leo linked the Church’s spiritual mission to the very real, earthly challenges facing communities around the world—be it war, displacement, or natural disaster.
Throughout these addresses, Pope Leo’s style has stood in marked contrast to that of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Whereas Francis was known for his off-the-cuff remarks and direct political critiques, Leo tends to speak from carefully prepared texts, projecting a reserved yet resolute tone. Still, as observers from Reuters and Vatican News have noted, his commitment to social justice and migrant rights appears every bit as strong.
For the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, these messages signal a papacy deeply committed to practical compassion and global solidarity. The Pope’s willingness to address contentious issues—whether it’s the politics of immigration in the United States, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, or the scourge of antisemitism—demonstrates a leadership style that is both principled and unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Yet, the Pope’s approach is not without its critics. Some within the Church argue that such overt engagement with political issues risks alienating believers who hold different views or who feel that the Church should remain above the fray. Others, however, see in Pope Leo’s words a return to the foundational values of Christianity: love for the stranger, care for the suffering, and a commitment to peace and justice.
As the Catholic Church moves forward in its holy year, the impact of Pope Leo’s leadership is already being felt. His call to a “new missionary age” is not merely rhetorical; it is a challenge to Catholics everywhere to embody the values of hospitality and solidarity in their daily lives. Whether in the pews of St. Peter’s Square or in the farthest corners of the globe, the faithful are being asked to look beyond borders and divisions, to see in every migrant and every victim of violence a brother or sister deserving of compassion and respect.
In an era marked by division and uncertainty, Pope Leo’s message offers a vision of hope rooted in action—a reminder that, even amid the world’s storms, the Church’s mission endures.
