Sow the seeds of Christ’s infinite charity, Pope preaches at Mass, procession

August 31, 2026

Pope Leo XIV celebrated evening Mass on August 29 at the Church of Our Lady of the Lake in Castel Gandolfo and boarded a boat to take part in a Marian procession on Lake Albano (video).

In the Gospel reading at Mass (Matthew 16:21-27), “Jesus reveals that only love saves,” Pope Leo preached.” The love God showed us by becoming man, dying, and rising again for us, and, in response, the love with which we humbly offer ourselves to Him and to our brothers and sisters: this is found in the faithful constancy of daily charity as well as in the most extraordinary gestures, even unto martyrdom, as unfortunately happens to many Christians today in various parts of the world.”

“We want to sow the seeds of His infinite charity everywhere in the world, tirelessly and without measure, so that, today and always, someone may rejoice in reaping the harvest,” the Pope continued, adding:

Let us not delude ourselves. Hatred and violence yield nothing good; they bring only destruction and death, always, even when they are a response to injustices suffered. We see this every day, from the small scale of our domestic lives to the great stage of the world. Everything confirms what Jesus taught us: “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:25).

 

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Further information:

• Holy Mass and Procession (Office for the Liturgical Celebrations, 8/29/26)
• Santa Messa e processione della “Madonna del lago” (Holy See Press Office, 8/29/26)
• Pope: Do not give in to hatred; do not let evil disfigure humanity (Vatican News, 8/29/26)
• During procession on Lake Albano, Pope entrusts wounded children to Mary (Vatican News, 8/29/26)