Christ walking on water teaches us to avoid presumption and despair, Pope tells pilgrims
August 10, 2026
In his August 9 Sunday Angelus address (video), Pope Leo XIV reflected on Christ walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, an event recounted in the Gospel reading of the day (Matthew 14:22-23).
The miracle “teaches us something important,” Pope Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “First, not to get carried away by success and never to be presumptuous. At the same time, not to despair, even in moments of darkness, when we feel powerless in the face of problems and, despite our efforts, it seems as though we are going backwards rather than forwards.”
“Whatever the circumstances, Jesus does not abandon us, and if we humbly welcome him into the boat of our lives—through prayer, the sacraments and listening to his Word—in him, we will find peace, light and strength for our journey,” the Pontiff continued. “May Mary, who was proclaimed blessed for her faith (cf. Lk 1:45), help us to live in a trusting surrender to God.”
The Pope then recited, in Latin, the Angelus, the Minor Doxology (three times), and the prayer for the faithful departed, before imparting his blessing.
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