Skip to content

Pope Francis: Humility ‘is the source of peace in the world and in the Church’

Pope Francis on Wednesday closed his catechetical series on vices and virtues with a review of humility, a virtue that forms the “the base of Christian life” and is a source of peace for the Church and the world.

Pope Francis on Wednesday closed his catechetical series on vices and virtues with a review of humility, a virtue that forms the “the base of Christian life” and is a source of peace for the Church and the world.

“Humility is everything. It is what saves us from the evil one and from the danger of becoming his accomplices. It is the source of peace in the world and in the Church. God has given us an example of this in Jesus and Mary, for our salvation and happiness,” the pope said to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning.

The pope’s reflection on humility closes a series on the four cardinal and three theological virtues that began last December. While humility is not part of the seven “heavenly virtues,” the pope underscored the importance of humility as forming the “base of Christian life.”

Humility is the “great antagonist of the most mortal of sins, namely arrogance,” the pope said, stressing that it “restores everything to its correct dimension.” 

Francis buttressed this point by looking to the beatitudes, which come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, with the pope reading aloud the first: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

The pope said the first beatitude serves as a foundation for the others. 

“Meekness, mercy, and purity of heart stem from that inner sense of smallness,” he said. “Humility is the gateway to all the virtues.” 

The Holy Father further developed this point by looking to Mary as a personification of the virtue of humility. 

“The chosen heroine is not a little queen who grew up coddled, but an unknown girl, Mary,” he said. 

“Not even the most sacred truth of her life, being the Mother of God, becomes a reason for her to boast before men,” he continued. “In a world marked by the pursuit of appearance, of showing oneself to be superior to others, Mary walks decisively, by the sole power of God’s grace, in the opposite direction.”

Observing that Mary faced “difficult moments” and “days when her faith advanced in darkness,” the pope implored the faithful to emulate the Blessed Mother as her humility never wavered.

“She is always small, always without self-importance, always free of ambition. This smallness of hers is her invincible strength: It is she who remains at the foot of the cross while the illusion of a triumphant Messiah is shattered.”

At the end of the catechesis the pope renewed his regular appeal for peace, saying: “We need peace; the world is at war.”

“Let’s not forget the tormented Ukraine, which is suffering so much. Let’s not forget Palestine, Israel; may this war stop. Let’s not forget Myanmar and let’s not forget many countries at war.”

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis Celebrates 54 years as a Priest

On Dec. 13, 1969, just four days before his 33rd birthday, Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio — who today is Pope Francis — was ordained a priest.

Vinicio, the Ill Man Whose Embrace with Pope Francis Moved the World, Passes Away

Vinicio Riva, whose face was disfigured by von Recklinghausen's disease and who received a long embrace from Pope Francis ten years ago in St. Peter's Square, has passed away at age 58.

Meet the six newest venerable servants of God in the Catholic Church

Pope Francis declared six Catholics as venerable servants of God on Thursday, moving them each one step closer

Teenage Saints: Carlo Acutis and Others Inspiring Young Lives of Holiness and Faith

By approving the canonization of Carlo Acutis, Pope Francis has endorsed a new role model for today's teenagers. Who are other teenage saints?

Pope Leo XIV’s Peruvian Goddaughter Shares Testimony

“Godfather, we love you! Long live the Pope!” exclaimed Mildred Camacho, recalling how Father Robert Prevost, once a young priest in Chulucanas, Peru, is now Pope Leo XIV.

How Blessed Mary found her way to Mongolia

Pope Francis entrusted his apostolic journey to Mongolia to the Virgin Mary at the Basilica of St. Mary

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit