Image: 19th century by German Artist Bernard Plockhorst
POPE LEO XIV REGINA CAELI
Loggia of the Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica
Good Shepherd Sunday 4th Sunday of Easter, 11 May 2025
Gospel Reading John 10:27-30
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
Dear brothers and sisters,
I consider it a gift from God that the first Sunday of my service as Bishop of Rome is Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter.
On this Sunday, we always hear proclaimed at Mass a passage from the tenth chapter from the Gospel of John, where Jesus reveals himself as the true Shepherd: who knows and loves his sheep and gives his life for them.
This Sunday also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which we have celebrated for the last sixty-two years. Rome is also hosting the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment today.
I greet all these pilgrims with affection and thank them because, with their music and performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd: The One who guides the Church with his Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Jesus says that he knows his sheep and that they listen to his voice and follow him.
In fact, as Pope St. Gregory the Great teaches, people “respond to the love of those who love them” Homily14:3-6
Today brothers and sisters, I therefore have the joy of praying with you and all the People of God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and consecrated life.
The Church has such a great need for them!
It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.
Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his Message for today: the invitation to welcome and accompany young people.
And let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another, each according to his or her state of life, shepherds after his own heart capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth.
(Jer 3:15 –I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.)
To young people, I say: “Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!”
May the Virgin Mary, whose entire life was a response to the Lord’s call, always accompany us in following Jesus.
