PRESS RELEASE

Publication, Piazza San Pietro

Pope Leo responds: “Fraternity on holiday: let us not leave the poor and elderly alone”

The July-August issue: on the cover, Pope Leo’s journey to Lampedusa, a special feature dedicated to rest as a time of spiritual regeneration, and in-depth articles on artificial intelligence, art and faith.

A moving dialogue between Maurizio, a reader from Rome, and the Pontiff, on the Christian meaning of holidays.

VATICAN, 23 JULY – The July-August issue of Piazza San Pietro, the magazine published by the Vatican Basilica and edited by Father Enzo Fortunato, is imbued with a powerful message of hope. It is a rich summer edition, full of spiritual reflections, cultural insights and testimonies that speak to readers’ hearts.

The cover is dedicated to Pope Leo’s visit to Lampedusa on 4 July, a pilgrimage of prayer and solidarity, in which the Pontiff wished to draw the world’s attention to the tragedy of migrations and to human dignity, visiting the places that symbolize both suffering and hope via the “Gateway to Europe” in the heart of the Mediterranean.

A journey that stands as a tangible testament to solidarity with the most vulnerable and with peoples affected by migration and suffering.

One of the magazine’s most authentic features is the column “Dialogue with Readers”, which features a moving exchange of letters between Maurizio, from Rome, and Pope Leo.

In his letter, Maurizio confides to the Pontiff his desire to experience the holidays not only as a period of rest, but also as an opportunity to strengthen his faith. “I would like to be able to slow down the incessant and frenetic pace of daily life… and rediscover a genuine space for encounter with God the Father”, writes the reader, asking how to transform the summer months into a genuine spiritual journey.

Pope Leo’s reply is an invitation to look beyond ourselves. “To families I say: do not leave your elderly relatives alone”, writes the Pontiff, also remembering the poor, the sick, migrants, victims of war and all those who cannot even afford a moment’s rest. And further: “Use the summer months too to live out the Gospel of peace and mercy”, avoiding “excess and waste, materialism and consumerism” and rediscovering simplicity as an authentic Christian witness.

It is a messagse that extends beyond the holiday period and becomes a universal call to fraternity. For Pope Leo, in fact, true renewal comes through solidarity, closeness to the most vulnerable, and the rediscovery of love as the sole force capable of giving the world a future. “Let us believe in Him, let us hope in Him, let us follow Him!”, concludes the Pontiff, offering readers a reflection to accompany the summer and inviting everyone to transform this time of rest into an opportunity for human and spiritual growth.

Inside the summer issue, the “Riposo” special feature offers a reflection on the holidays as an opportunity to regenerate not only the body, but also the spirit, rediscovering the value of silence, contemplation and the encounter with God. The in-depth features also include the dossier dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, with a look at a future that “is built together with human beings”, and the one on Art and Faith, a journey to the roots of the Church through the artistic heritage that continues to tell its story.

THE LETTERS

DEAR POPE, HOW CAN ONE DEEPEN ONE’S FAITH WHILE ON HOLIDAY?

I take the liberty of writing to you with respect and sincere, profound gratitude for your constant and tireless commitment to guiding us, the faithful, with words of peace, hope and light during this time of significant instability amongst nations, which sees conflicts, mistakenly relegated to the past, intensifying day by day at the expense of mutual dialogue.

Recently, in the light of these acts of war, I have found myself reflecting deeply on the meaning of faith in daily life. In a world that is ever faster-paced and more performance-driven, yet often superficial and distracted, nurturing and deepening an authentic faith requires attention, silence, listening and, at times, even effort. I often wonder how it is possible to live out and nurture a more conscious and authentic spirituality, one capable of being translated into concrete acts of love and responsible respect towards others.

As the upcoming holidays draw nearer, I feel the desire to experience this necessary and legitimate time not only as a break and a rest, but also as an opportunity to rediscover a deeper dimension of my inner self.

I would like to be able to slow down the incessant and frenetic pace of daily life, to observe my surroundings more attentively and to rediscover a genuine space for encounter with God the Father. I would be deeply grateful if you could offer a reflection or some advice on how to live through this summer period so that it may also become a spiritual journey and not merely a break from the daily routine.

Thank you for listening and for the witness you offer every day through your apostolate.

With sincere and deep devotion,

Maurizio, from Rome

POPE LEO’S REPLY

FRATERNITY ON HOLIDAY: LET US NOT LEAVE THE POOR AND THE ELDERLY ALONE!

Dearest Maurizio, thank you for your letter, which gives me the opportunity to reflect on the holidays that are now approaching. My first thought concerns the poor and all those who cannot even enjoy a brief period of rest, as they are crushed under the weight of difficulties of every kind. It is not only economic problems that prevent people from living, at least for a few days, in serenity and peace of heart. Let us think of the sick, of those who have lost faith in life, of those overwhelmed by grief at the loss of their loved ones, of the victims of war, hatred, terrorism and violence, of those persecuted for their faith and for standing up for justice, of prisoners, of those who have lost their jobs or their homes, and of migrants who are not welcomed with humanity. The holidays should also be, for everyone, a time to take a break from daily tasks and worries, a time to enjoy genuine experiences of friendship and sharing, so that we may experience a foretaste of that brotherhood and communion which we can and will experience in the Kingdom of God. In particular, to Christians, to families, to parents and children alike, to both young people and the elderly, I hope that the summer will be an opportunity for fruitful social and religious experiences, for deepening our mission within the Church and in society. I also hope that, during these summer months, the sick will not be without the support of their families, volunteers and those who may choose to spend part of their holidays in a fraternal act of solidarity. To families I say: do not leave your elderly relatives alone. And to volunteers, young and old alike: commit yourselves to bringing humanity and hope to those who suffer, and you will see the fruits of grace; you will see how much love will fill your lives, how much joy, how much happiness. This is the advice I can offer to help us grow in our faith: use the summer months too to live out the Gospel of peace and mercy. Let us reflect on the privilege we have when we support the poor and bear witness to evangelical poverty. This is a service we render to Christ himself. And so, during the holidays, let us also avoid excess and waste, materialism and consumerism; let us cultivate a spirit of moderation. Let us always remember that the accumulation of wealth hinders evangelization.

Let our holidays, too, be consistent with a Christian way of life. God’s love and grace reach us every day, always. Let us help one another, in every community, not to squander this precious heritage of humanity and peace, the only hope for giving a future to a world threatened by war. No earthly power will save the world, as I said at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii on 8 May, but only the divine power of love that Jesus, the Lord, has revealed to us and given us. Let us believe in Him, hope in Him, and follow Him!

Thank you for your words, Maurizio, and I accompany you with my blessing.

Leo XIV