‘Holiness is not a privilege for the few’ – Pope Leo XIV tells Faithful
VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV has reminded the faithful that holiness is the calling of every Christian, not a privilege for a few, during a catechesis delivered on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, at Saint Peter’s Square.
Addressing pilgrims gathered for the general audience, he drew from the Second Vatican Council’s Lumen gentium to emphasise that every baptized person is called to live in God’s grace, practise virtue, and imitate Christ through love.
Speaking to an international assembly of believers, the Pope explained that holiness is lived in everyday life through acts of charity towards God and neighbour. He noted that this calling is sustained by the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which nourishes and transforms the faithful, helping them to grow in likeness to Christ.
He further stated that the highest expression of holiness is martyrdom, described as the supreme witness of faith and charity. However, he stressed that this witness is also present in daily Christian living, whenever believers uphold justice, love, and truth in society, even in difficult circumstances.
The Holy Father also highlighted the importance of consecrated life, where individuals dedicate themselves fully to God through poverty, chastity, and obedience. He described these evangelical counsels as liberating gifts that reflect complete trust in God and serve as a visible sign of the Kingdom already present in the Church.
At the same time, he acknowledged the presence of human weakness and sin within the Church, explaining that holiness is a journey of continuous conversion. He encouraged the faithful to turn to God daily, trusting in His grace to renew and strengthen them.
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV called on all Christians to embrace their vocation to holiness with hope, affirming that no human experience, including suffering, is beyond God’s redeeming love. He entrusted the faithful to the care of the Virgin Mary, asking her to guide and protect them as they grow in faith and holiness.
