Instead of offering rules or rigid guidelines, Pope Leo XIV took a more heartfelt route when he addressed hundreds of seminarians from around the world on June 24, 2025, inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
His message wasn’t about doctrine or discipline—it was about compassion, honesty, and real human connection in an increasingly harsh and disconnected world.
This speech was part of a larger celebration during the Jubilee of Seminarians, Bishops, and Priests, and it marked the pope’s first official meeting with these future Church leaders from all five continents.
“Be Tender, Be Real,” the Pope Urges
Pope Leo didn’t waste time diving into what he believes the Church needs most right now—love that’s sincere, vulnerable, and rooted in Christ’s example.
He told the seminarians, “In today’s world, where power plays and coldness often rule, your mission is to reflect the mercy and tenderness of Jesus.”
He described seminaries not just as places for academic training, but as “schools of affectivity”—spaces where future priests learn how to love the way Jesus did, especially in a society that’s struggling with division and narcissism.
Don’t Hide What Hurts
The pope encouraged seminarians not to be afraid of their wounds or weaknesses.
He explained that it’s through understanding their own pain that they’ll truly be able to walk with those who suffer.
“Crises and fears are part of your story,” he said.
“Bring them to God.
That’s where grace starts.”
His core advice? Focus on the heart.
That’s where God speaks—and that’s where discernment begins.
Learn to Read Your Own Heart
Pope Leo emphasized the importance of understanding one’s inner emotional life.
“It’s not just about quick emotions,” he explained, “but the deeper feelings that guide your path.”
By learning how their own hearts work, he told the seminarians, they’ll become more genuine—and less likely to wear emotional masks.
That authenticity, he noted, is what will make them truly effective priests.
The Power of Prayer in a Noisy World
In an age dominated by screens and distractions, Pope Leo warned about the danger of surface-level spirituality.
He said real depth comes from silence and solitude—spaces where God can speak and shape a person.
“Without prayer,” he added, “you can’t know yourself.
And if you don’t know yourself, how can you guide others?”
Hear the Silence of the Suffering
He also urged the future priests to tune in to the “silent cries” of the poor, the marginalized, and especially young people struggling to find purpose.
Jesus didn’t ignore those voices, the pope reminded them—and neither should they.
“Don’t toss away any part of who you are,” he said.
“Transform everything into a life that nourishes others.”
Priesthood Isn’t Easy—but It’s Worth It
Pope Leo acknowledged the difficulty of today’s priestly calling.
Yet, he praised the seminarians for saying “yes” to such a challenging and beautiful mission.
He reminded them that being a priest isn’t about power or prestige—it’s about becoming “bridges” for people to meet Christ, not barriers that get in the way.
You Are Hope for the Church
“You’re not just pilgrims,” the pope said warmly.
“You’re witnesses of hope.”
He told them to let the Holy Spirit mold their lives and to live out gratitude and gentleness every day.
He also reflected on the heart of Jesus, referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos, which describes Christ as humanity’s “Good Samaritan” with a heart full of compassion.
Final Words from the Heart
In his closing thoughts, Pope Leo left the seminarians with a powerful challenge: to feed God’s people not just with preaching, but with the daily gift of their own lives.
The future of the Church, he suggested, depends on men who are deeply rooted in love, humility, and an authentic relationship with God—and who are brave enough to walk into the world, wounded and all, ready to serve.