Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged the faithful to reject an “exclusionary mindset” that he stated has fuelled nationalism globally.
While his homily at the Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Square did not directly mention specific conflicts or leaders, his language was notably impactful, encouraging people to “open borders” within their hearts and minds.
The address, delivered under sunny skies to an estimated 80,000 people, marked one month since the former Robert Prevost from Chicago was elected pontiff.
Before the Mass, the 69-year-old Pope made a turn around the square in his popemobile, greeted by enthusiastic cheers.
Pope Leo XIV calls for an end to “exclusionary mindset” in Pentecost message.
Credit: EWN
Pope Leo emphasised that the Church “must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race.”
He stressed the need to move “beyond our fear of those who are different,” asserting that the Holy Spirit “breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred.”
He added, “Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones separating us from our neighbours, or for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.”
Although he did not speak of physical borders, his focus on “barriers and walls” evoked the immigration policies of leaders like US President Donald Trump.
The Pope also presented the Holy Spirit as an antidote to toxic relationships marked by “suspicion, prejudice, or the desire to manipulate others.” With “great pain,” he referenced “cases where relationships are marked by an unhealthy desire for domination, an attitude that often leads to violence, as is shown, tragically, by numerous recent cases of femicide,” alluding to recent high-profile killings in Italy, including a 14-year-old girl.
Furthermore, Pope Leo highlighted the dangers of social media, warning that it risks making people “ever more alone” in a “vortex of individualism.”
He described individuals as “constantly connected, yet incapable of ‘networking.’ Always immersed in a crowd, yet confused and solitary travellers.”
Since his election on May 8, Pope Leo has offered to mediate between warring nations, including having his first telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
Several of his initial speeches have consistently focused on building bridges between individuals and people.
Pentecost concludes the Easter season, commemorating the Holy Spirit’s descent upon Jesus Christ’s apostles and disciples.