Pope Leo XIV joined the Australian community for evening prayer at Domus Australia Catholic Chapel in Rome on Monday.
Before praying vespers with approximately 150 people, the Holy Father blessed a restored painting of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii that was gifted to the chapel by soon-to-be saint Bartolo Longo.
“Indeed, this devotion to our Blessed Mother holds a special place in my heart, so I am also happy to share this occasion with the Australian community,” the Holy Father said in a short homily.
“It is my hope that this image … will inspire an ever greater devotion to her among the residents of the Domus and those who visit as pilgrims, as well as the members of the local community,” he added.
In light of the Church’s jubilee year dedicated to the theological virtue of hope, Leo encouraged those praying with him on Monday to be inspired by the example of the Mother of God.
“Mary embodied that virtue through her trust that God would fulfill his promises,” he said. “This hope, in turn, gave her the strength and courage to spend her life willingly for the sake of the Gospel and abandon herself entirely to God’s will.”
In his homily, the Holy Father emphasized the significance for “daily fidelity” to God even though “we do not know what the future holds.”
“God never delays; we are the ones who have to learn to trust, even if it requires patience and perseverance. God’s timing is always perfect,” he said.
“God always comes to save and liberate us,” he added.
Turning to the writings of St. Augustine, Leo said the early Church Father reminds Christians that God’s plan and purpose for each person is salvation and eternal life.
“God created us without us, but he will not save us without us,” he said, quoting St. Augustine. “Thus, we are called to cooperate with him by living out a life of grace as his sons and daughters, making our own contribution to the plan of salvation.”
Moreover, the Holy Father said God did not “come simply to redeem us from slavery to sin” but to become children of God and “free our hearts” to accept his love.
“God our Father ‘chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world … he destined us in love to be his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ,’” he said, citing a passage of St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
Before concluding vespers, Leo entrusted the Australian community living in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“As you venerate Our Lady of Pompeii at the Domus Australia, it is my prayer that you also will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in your own service to the Lord and his Church, and that you may bear much fruit, fruit that will last,” he said.
This article was originally published by CNA.
