Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides News Agency) – May the intercession and prayers of the newly Beatified Vietnamese Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep strengthen "all those who proclaim the Gospel in situations of persecution today," said Pope Leo XIV after the Angelus prayer recited from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace.
Turning his thoughts to those throughout the world who bear witness to the Gospel of Christ amid persecution, the Pontiff referred to the Vietnamese priest who was beatified on Thursday, July 2, during a liturgical concelebration presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle at the Shrine of Tac Say in Vietnam (see Fides, 2/7/2026). The new Blessed, the Pope recalled, was killed in 1946 "in hatred of the faith." "Amid oppression and violence," Leo XIV said, "he defended the rights of the people and did not abandon his parishioners."
Before praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo gave a brief catechesis, drawing inspiration from the passage inspired by the day's Gospel reading from Matthew, in which Jesus praises the Father, who chooses to reveal himself " to infants" while remaining hidden “from the wise and the intelligent.”
" So filled are they with their own ideas that they fail to recognize the presence of Christ, the Messiah who comes to visit his people. Human wisdom thus becomes arrogance, and doctrine degenerates into pride. By contrast, God’s true wisdom is revealed in the humility of the Incarnation, and his teaching is addressed above all to those who struggle: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens”, says the Lord.
Referring to the same Gospel passage, Leo XIV recalled Jesus' words: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. At the same time, the Son of God adds that his "yoke" is "easy" and his burden "light." " How can the weight of the cross be “easy” and “light”," Pope Prevost continued, "for one reason alone: because the Lord himself carries it with us, never leaving us alone in what burdens us."
Only in the Cross of Jesus, the Pontiff continued, "is evil overcome; only in his passion does our mortal weariness find consolation and redemption. In slavery, Christ is liberation. Amid the scourge of war, Christ is hope. In the hour of sin, Christ is forgiveness. This is true wisdom and the path that we wish to walk together, united as disciples in his name."
After the Angelus, addressing the Venezuelan Choir of the University of Mérida, present in St. Peter's Square, in Spanish, Leo XIV said that he continues to remember in his prayers "the victims of the earthquake and all the Venezuelan people. May the Lord sustain them in this time of great hardship." (GV) (Fides News Agency, 5/7/2026)
