Newly inaugurated Pope Leo XIV reminded that ‘faith and prayer are like salt which gives flavour,’; he added, that by constantly turning to these key ingredients they will best offer their everyday tasks and responsibilities.
The Bishops of Rome recommended these two practical and prayerful ‘ingredients’ for Vatican employees to regularly use amply in their daily tasks.
This marked the Holy Father’s first meeting since being elected Pope with officials of the Roman Curia, and the employees of the Holy See, the Governorate of Vatican City State, as well as the Vicariate of Rome.
The Pope warmly welcomed those converged, and expressed his gladness, recognizing that each, in his or her own way, collaborates in the Successor of Peter’s work.
His Holiness expressed gladness that many family members were present; he said, “each one contributes by carrying out their daily tasks with commitment—and also with faith, because faith and prayer are like salt in food: they give it flavor.”
Pope Leo XIV said, this first encounter is “certainly not the occasion for programmatic speeches”, but, “an opportunity for me to thank you for the service you carry out, and this service, which I, so to speak, ‘inherit’ from my predecessors.”
The Holy See said, he arrived the Vatican just two (2) years ago “when the beloved Pope Francis appointed me Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.” At that time, he recalled that he departed the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru and came to Rome to work.
He added, “What a change! And now… what can I say? Only what Simon Peter said to Jesus by the Sea of Tiberias: ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you,'”
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis who passed on Easter Monday, 21 April, 2025 at the age of eighty-eight (88).
