Castel Gandolfo – In the relaxed atmosphere of the summer season that has accompanied Pope Leo XIV’s days in Castel Gandolfo, this morning the Holy Father presided over Holy Mass in honor of the Virgo Fidelis in the chapel of the local Carabinieri station. It was not an isolated gesture: just last Sunday, during the Angelus prayer, the Pontiff warmly greeted several young recruits of the Corps, personally shaking each one’s hand.
In Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV is finding not only a place of rest but also a space of sobriety and closeness. The tranquillity of Villa Barberini allows him to live simply alongside his closest collaborators, sharing moments of prayer, work, and reflection. He confided that he feels particularly at ease in this setting, which also offers the opportunity for meaningful encounters, such as today’s with the Carabinieri.
After the celebration, the Pope made a visit to the monastery of the Poor Clare nuns in Albano. There, he met with the contemplative community, praying with the sisters and engaging with them in a familiar dialogue, listening to their stories and bearing witness to his affinity with contemplative life. A silent but eloquent gesture that confirms Leo XIV’s attention to the Church’s most humble and prayerful realities. In the Carabinieri chapel, concelebrants alongside Leo XIV included the Bishop of Albano, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva; the Military Ordinary of Italy, Monsignor Gianfranco Saba; and Monsignor Giordano Picinotti, president of the APSA. The celebration represented a gesture of tangible and discreet proximity toward the Carabinieri, set in a location away from media exposure, yet rich in significance.
This morning also marked the first public celebration in which the Pontiff celebrated Holy Mass “coram Deo”. In the morning, images took time to emerge and be published because Vatican News made every effort to keep them private. This is the result of assertive and ideologized laymen like Andrea Tornielli leading the dicastery.
“Brother and sister”: a bond beyond blood
In his homily, Leo XIV reflected on the Christian meaning of relationships, beginning with the Gospel words that define true brothers and sisters not as those who share blood, but as those who do the Father’s will. “When the Son becomes our brother,” the Pontiff said, “His Father becomes our Father, and the Spirit dwells in our hearts.” A reversal of family categories rooted in listening to the Word and lived fidelity. The figure of Mary, honored under the title of Virgo Fidelis, was central to his meditation: “It is more fitting for Mary to have been a disciple of Christ rather than merely His mother,” the Pope recalled, citing St. Augustine. Her motherhood, indeed, is founded on faith and obedience. It is in this light that the symbolic and spiritual value of the patroness of the Corps is understood.
Honoring fidelity: from war to reconstruction
The Pope recalled the origins of devotion to the Virgo Fidelis, instituted right in Castel Gandolfo in 1949 by Pius XII, at the request of the Corps following the tragedy of World War II. In an Italy wounded and seeking reconstruction, the reference to Mary’s fidelity became a model for a secular, civil, everyday fidelity. “Fidelity,” Leo XIV said, “expresses dedication, purity, and enduring commitment to the common good, which the Carabinieri uphold by ensuring public security and defending everyone’s rights.” Words that carry particular weight in these times marked by unrest, wars, and new forms of widespread violence.
The Carabinieri and service to the State
During the homily, a clear reminder of the meaning of the State and the ethics of public service was present. The Pope thanked the Carabinieri for their dedication both in Italy and in cooperation with the Holy See, especially in view of the upcoming Jubilee 2025. But he also warned: “When faced with injustice… do not succumb to the temptation of thinking that evil has prevailed.” The response must come “with the strength of law and honesty.”
A fitting remembrance: Salvo D’Acquisto
At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration, Leo XIV wished to pay tribute to the Carabinieri who fell in the line of duty. He entrusted to all the example of the venerable Salvo D’Acquisto, Medal of Military Valor, whose cause for beatification is ongoing. “In every mission, may the Virgo Fidelis accompany you,” he concluded, in a fatherly and solemn tone.
R.A & s.R.E
Silere non possum