This morning, Pope Leo XIV went to the Vatican Grottoes to celebrate Mass at the altar next to the tomb of Peter. This is reported by the Holy See Press Office, which reported that the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Father Alejandro Moral Antón, concelebrated with the Pope.

At the end of the Mass, the Pope paused to pray before the tombs of his predecessors and before the “Niche of the Pallia.” At noon, the Pope appeared from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica for the Regina Caeli prayer.

We publish below the homily given by the Pope:

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Homily of the Holy Father

I will begin with a word in English and maybe another one in Italian.

The Gospel that we just heard on this Sunday of the Good Shepherd: My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me.

I think about the Good Shepherd, especially on this Sunday, which is so significant in Easter time. While we celebrate the beginning of this new mission of the ministry that the Church has called me to, there is no better example than Jesus Christ himself, to whom we give our lives and whom we depend on. Jesus Christ whom we follow, he is the Good Shepherd, and he is the one who gives us life: the way and the truth and the life. So we celebrate with joy this day and we deeply appreciate your presence here.

Today is Mother’s Day. I think there is only one mother present: happy Mother’s Day! One of the most wonderful expressions of the love of God is the love that is poured out by mothers, especially to their children and grandchildren.

This Sunday is known to be special for several different reasons: one of the first ones I would mention is vocations. During the recent work of the Cardinals, before and after the election of the new Pope, we spoke a lot about vocations in the Church and how important it is that all of us search together. First and foremost by giving [a] good example in our lives, with joy, living the joy of the Gospel, not discouraging others, but rather looking for ways to encourage young people to hear the voice of the Lord and to follow it and to serve in the Church. “I am the Good Shepherd”, he tells us.

Now I will add just one word also in Italian, because this mission that we carry out is no longer to a single diocese but to the whole Church: this universal spirit is important. And we also find it in the first reading that we heard (Acts 13:14.43-52). Paul and Barnabas go to Antioch, they go first to the Jews, but they do not want to listen to the voice of the Lord, and then they begin to announce the Gospel to the whole world, to the pagans. They go, as we know, on this great mission. Saint Paul comes to Rome, where in the end he also [accomplished it]. Another example of the testimony of a good shepherd. But there is also in that example a very special invitation to all of us. I also said it in a very personal way, what it means to announce the Gospel to the whole world.

Courage! Without fear! Many times Jesus says in the Gospel: “Do not be afraid”. We must be courageous in the testimony we give, with words and above all with life: giving our life, serving, sometimes with great sacrifices to live this mission.

I saw a little reflection that makes me think a lot, because it also comes out in the Gospel. In this sense, someone asked: “When you think about your life, how do you explain where you have arrived?”. The answer they give in this reflection is in a certain sense also mine, with the verb “to listen”. How important it is to listen! Jesus says: “My sheep listen to my voice”. And I think it is important for all of us to learn more and more to listen, to enter into dialogue. First of all with the Lord: always listen to the Word of God. Then also listen to others, know how to build bridges, know how to listen so as not to judge, not to close doors thinking that we have all the truth and no one else can tell us anything. It is very important to listen to the voice of the Lord, to listen to ourselves, in this dialogue, and to see where the Lord is calling us.

Let us walk together in the Church, let us ask the Lord to give us this grace to be able to listen to his Word to serve all his people.