Pope Leo XIV: The Gospel calls us to trust and resist the temptation to withdraw

Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that the Gospel “calls us to dare to trust,” warning that fear and excessive caution can leave Christians “paralyzed by indecision” rather than ready to follow Christ.

In his reflection before the noon Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the pope returned to the day’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-22), asking two questions about Jesus’ public ministry: When did it begin, and where did it begin?

Leo noted that Jesus began preaching “when he heard that John had been arrested,” a moment that might appear “inopportune.” Yet, the pope said, “it was precisely in this dark situation that Jesus began to bring the light of the good news: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

“In our lives, both individually and as a Church,” he said, “interior struggles or circumstances we deem unfavorable can lead us to believe that it is not the right time to proclaim the Gospel… In this way, however, we risk becoming paralyzed by indecision or imprisoned by excessive prudence, whereas the Gospel calls us to dare to trust.”

Leo highlighted Galilee as “a predominantly pagan territory” and a “multicultural region,” explaining that the Messiah “transcends the borders of his own land to proclaim a God who draws close to everyone.”

“He is a God who excludes no one,” the pope said, “and who comes not only for the ‘pure,’ but enters fully into the complexity of human situations and relationships.” For that reason, Leo added, Christians “must overcome the temptation toward isolation,” living the Gospel in every setting “as a leaven of fraternity and peace among all individuals, cultures, religions, and peoples.”

After the Angelus, the pope noted that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Word of God, established by Pope Francis “to promote throughout the Church knowledge of sacred Scripture and greater attention to the word of God.”

Leo expressed concern for Ukraine, saying the country is being hit by “continuous attacks,” leaving “entire populations exposed to the cold of winter.”

“I invite everyone to intensify their efforts to end this war,” he said.

He also marked World Leprosy Day, voicing his closeness to those affected and thanking those who care for patients, including the Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau.

The pope concluded by inviting prayers for peace “in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in every region where, unfortunately, there is fighting going on for interests that are not those of the people,” adding: “Peace is built on respect for peoples!”

The pope also recalled that Sunday closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and said he would celebrate vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls with representatives of other Christian denominations.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News.