It’s not every day that a cloistered nun from a tiny monastery gets to speak directly to the pope and his top officials.
But that’s exactly what happened at the Vatican on Monday morning, when Sister Maria Gloria Riva addressed a packed hall of clergy, staff, and even the pontiff himself.
Her message? Think big. Live with eternity in mind.
This rare moment was part of the Jubilee of the Holy See, a key event within the Catholic Church’s broader 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
And for the first time in recent memory, a laywoman offered a spiritual reflection in front of the pope, cardinals, and bishops—a move that not only made headlines but also symbolized how much has changed under Pope Francis’ leadership.
A Powerful Meditation on Eternity
Sister Riva, 66, lives a contemplative life in a monastery in San Marino.
Yet her words on this grand stage were anything but quiet.
“Eternity is before us,” she said, urging the audience not to settle for temporary goals or “mediocre horizons.”
Instead, she encouraged everyone—from Vatican staffers to the Pope himself—to act with the long view in mind.
Her presence and message were arranged months ago by the Dicastery for Evangelization alongside Pope Francis, who had passed away earlier this year.
Francis had made big strides in promoting women within the Church, and Sister Riva’s appearance felt like a continuation of that legacy.
A Symbolic Pilgrimage Led by Pope Leo XIV
After Sister Riva’s powerful talk, the scene shifted to a moving procession.
Pope Leo XIV, now leading the Church following Francis, took up the jubilee cross like any other pilgrim and walked through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
There, he celebrated Mass for the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, tying the day’s events into a deeper reflection on sacrifice and holiness.
In his homily, Pope Leo didn’t mince words: “All the fruitfulness of the Church and of the Holy See depends on the cross of Christ,” he said.
Without it, he warned, even the most impressive acts can become hollow.
Holiness Begins With Each of Us
The pope also spoke candidly about the role of the individual in shaping the holiness of the Church.
“The best way to serve the Holy See,” he said, “is to strive for holiness, each according to their particular state in life.”
His words were a reminder that it’s not just about traditions or titles—it’s about people, their actions, and their faith.
He tied this into the day’s feast, explaining how Mary’s fruitfulness as the Mother of the Church is mirrored in every believer who chooses to love like Christ.
Mary’s Role in Unity and Memory
Pope Leo also highlighted Mary’s role in keeping the early Church united, especially during the days of Pentecost.
In the biblical account, he noted, Peter is always listed first—but even he, the rock of the Church, was spiritually supported by Mary.
This blend of Marian and Petrine roles, the pope explained, is what gives the Church both its strength and its softness—its authority and its compassion.
It’s a dynamic balance that the Vatican continues to embody.
What Beauty Will Save the World?
Sister Riva returned to the spotlight later in the day, offering one more profound meditation—this time on the concept of beauty and salvation.
Quoting Dostoevsky’s character Prince Myshkin, she challenged the common line that “beauty will save the world.”
That’s not the full story, she pointed out.
Instead, the real question is what kind of beauty will save the world?
She reflected on a haunting painting by Holbein showing Christ’s dead body—sunken eyes, decomposing limbs—and asked: Could this be the beauty that redeems humanity?
Her answer was sobering and profound. Yes, the beauty of the cross, even in defeat and humiliation, still holds the power to save.
“The cross will save us,” she said, reminding everyone that the message of salvation is as real today in 2025 as it was two thousand years ago.
A Timely Call to Reflect and Realign
In her final reflection, Sister Riva urged everyone to live with a sense of spiritual urgency.
Life is short, and the true race—the only one that matters—is the one toward Christ’s empty tomb.
That’s where hope lives, she said. Not in ambition or comfort, but in the eternal promise of resurrection.
The Jubilee, she reminded listeners, is not just about celebration—it’s about deep, personal reflection on our purpose, our direction, and our ultimate destination.