Pope Leo’s address to the Circle of St. Peter
Hall of Blessings – Monday, October 12, 2026
The Circle of St. Peter (Circolo San Pietro)
is a
Catholic charitable association
founded in 1869 by young Romans
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am very pleased to welcome the Circle Saint-Pierre for the first time.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the president and all the members gathered here today.
Since 1869, your distinguished association has helped many people in need in our beloved city of Rome, in the name of the Pope, by providing daily meals, night shelters for the homeless and accommodation for families in need among other services.
It is a work of great merit, which puts into practice the Lord’s commandment of a charity that secretly awaits its reward only from God
(Matthew 6:3-4 – when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.).
Your efforts contribute to the beautiful face of the Church, bearing witness to the Gospel among the poor and most needy. Thank you!
As I meditate on the three pillars of your charism—prayer, action, and sacrifice—I would like to offer you a word today that brings them together in perfect harmony: charity
.
First of all, prayer is the foundation of charity.
It’s no coincidence that the first word of your motto is related to your bond with God.
We can only give what we have received.
Prayer is precisely the relationship through which we receive the charity we are called to give.
I encourage you to always return to the Word of God and prayer as inexhaustible sources of inspiration.
The second word of your motto, “action”, shows how to direct the love received from God.
Prayer becomes effective when it turns toward one’s neighbor.
The caritas generated by the Holy Spirit is God’s love poured into our hearts—a love that transforms into a commitment to life and service.
This love must be the goal, style, and meaning of our lives.
The third pillar around which your charism is articulated, “sacrifice”, which refers to the heart of charity and show us how to balance prayer and action.
“True sacrifice is every work done to unite with God in a holy union.
In other words, it is every work that relates to the supreme and unique end in which happiness lies.
Therefore, even mercy towards one’s neighbor is not a sacrifice unless it is exercised for God’s sake.
Although sacrifice is offered by man, it is a divine thing..
When you offer your time, enthusiasm, and efforts on behalf of the least of these, you participate in the work of Christ, who loved us and gave his life for us. United to his sacrifice, we no longer live, but Christ lives in us
(Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me).
Dear friends,
May charity always be the source of your prayers, the essence of your action and the expression of your spiritual sacrifice.
I am grateful to you for the denarius of St. Peter that you are handing over today as a sign of your fidelity and devotion to the Holy Father.
Your devotion accompanies me at all times, because I carry the gift you gave me at the time of my election with me always, and I thank you sincerely for it.
This gift — I am speaking here of the denarius that you are handing over today — sustains the solicitude of the Bishop of Rome for this city and helps provide for the needs of the Apostolic See in service of the whole Church.
I entrust the Circle of St. Peter to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani.
I cordially bless you, your families, and all those you meet in your charitable apostolate.