Scripture recounts that the giving of the primacy to Peter at Caesarea Philippi was followed by the first proclamation of the Passion and glorious Resurrection of Christ (cf. Mt 16:13-21), perhaps indicating that if the luminous way of the cross must be walked by every disciple of Jesus (cf. Mt 16:24), it must be even more so by His Vicar.
May the Blessed Virgin grant Pope Leo XIV – her beloved son born on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – special graces of discernment, wisdom, and apostolic steadfastness on his birthday, for the most complete and successful fulfilment of his mission to be, in the words of St. Catherine of Siena, the sweet Christ on earth in this decisive historical period in which we live.
My heartfelt birthday wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV!
And my heartfelt thanks to the Heralds of the Gospel for giving the world this opportunity to pray for His Holiness on his birthday – hardly anyone has mentioned this fact!