In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen!
Peace be with you!
 

Your Most Reverend Excellency,
Distinguished Authorities,
Reverend Chaplains,
Dear brothers and sisters!

You have come to Rome and, in a sense, the other members of your units are united with you. In welcoming you, I extend my greetings to all members – Christian and non-Christian alike – of the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the National Republican Guard and the Public Security Police in Portugal. In a special way, in the light of the Risen Christ, I remember the two young soldiers from the Army who, last Friday, lost their lives while like the Good Samaritan, they generously stopped along the way to offer assistance: I entrust them to the Lord, together with their families.

It was with the welfare of the entire corps of the Armed Forces and Security Forces, their members and their respective families in mind that the Vicariate was established sixty years ago; in 1981 it came to be known as the the Military Ordinariate and, twenty-five years ago, received its first bishop. You have therefore chosen to come to Rome specifically to commemorate these anniversaries. May the Ordinariate, by making its invaluable contribution to spiritual well-being and to the understanding of Christian values, continue to be a forum for constructive collaboration with state, governmental and military authorities.

For those who believe in Christ, making a pilgrimage to this city represents a unique opportunity for self-renewal, recognizing the centrality of God in one’s own life and strengthening one’s faith through prayer beside the tomb of the Apostle Saint Peter. Every day, each of you has the noble mission of defending the sovereignty of the Fatherland and the rule of law, ensuring the safety of your fellow citizens and protecting them from injustice. I would therefore like to repeat to you this exhortation from Saint Paul: “Be strong in the Lord. […] Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:10, 14–15).

Be strong in the Lord, like the centurion who approached Jesus in Capernaum. He was well aware of the values by which you guide your lives: obedience, discipline, self-denial, loyalty, camaraderie, dedication, responsibility and courage. At the same time, that soldier felt a need for God; he knew that human beings are not self-sufficient, but aspire to something more, to something that transcends them. Having a servant who was suffering terribly, this led him to approach Jesus, who assured him that He would go and heal him. However, he replied: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldier under me; and I say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come’, and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this’, and he does it” (Mt 8:8–9). In this attitude, we can see how the centurion valued hierarchy and how this aspect of his daily life shaped his understanding of his relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, whom he confesses as his Lord and his God. Astonished by these words, Jesus said: “Not even in Israel have I found such faith!” (v. 10). Although, on the one hand, this soldier was aware of his authority, on the other, he demonstrated before the Son of God the strength of faith and the courage of humility. Indeed, human beings, however much responsibility they may bear, however much power they may wield, however blameless they may be, are always hungry for the infinite and thirsty for eternity. Now, the infinite and eternity are within our reach in Jesus Christ: they are a gift from the Lord.

Most Reverend Excellency, dear chaplains, the Church entrusts to you the spiritual growth of the military personnel and police officers of your nation. Welcome them all, listen to them, enlighten them with the wisdom of the Word of God, stand by their side acting in the name of Christ in the celebration of the Sacraments, and accompany each one without forgetting their families. From this specific ministry of yours will come the fruits of personal growth in the practice of the Christian life and the reinvigoration of the esprit de corps of the Military and Security Forces you serve. Thank you for the closeness which, as good shepherds, you offer to all those who perform such an important, special and demanding service for the good of Portugal and beyond. Your witness of love for the Church and for the country is a balm that comforts and gives hope.

And finally, to all of you who have come here, I wish to express my gratitude for the esteem, appreciation and recognition you show for the work carried out in the Ordinariate. May Our Lady of Fátima accompany you in your various missions, both in Portugal and abroad. May the joy of the Lord be your strength. God bless you! Thank you.

[Blessing]

_____________________________________

Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 24 August 2026