Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus: Christian Joy is a Divine Gift
Pope Leo XIV reflected on the parable of the wedding banquet during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, stating that Christian joy is a divine gift given to save the world.
Pope Leo XIV led the midday Angelus prayer on Sunday with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, sharing reflections on Christian joy through the biblical parable of the wedding banquet.
Gathering in St. Peter's Square
On the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time according to the liturgical calendar, Pope Leo XIV came together with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for the Sunday prayer.
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet and Joy
The Gospel reading for Sunday's liturgy focused on the parable of a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son, conveying religious teachings on the subject.
The Tendency of Goodness to Spread
Recalling the words of St. Thomas Aquinas that goodness by its very nature tends to diffuse itself, the Pope emphasized that people naturally desire to share their happiness.
Encountered Misunderstandings and Challenges
Drawing attention to how the happiness of the king in the parable sometimes meets with negative reactions, it was noted that good deeds may not always be understood and can be rejected.
Symbolic Meanings of the Characters
Referring to the commentaries of the 5th-century scriptural scholar St. Jerome, it was stated that the figures in the parable represent the Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Church.
True and Concrete Christian Joy
Pope Leo XIV said that Christian joy is not artificial; rather, filled with smiles, tears, and acts of goodness, it is a genuine divine gift given for the salvation of the world.