Pope Leo: Christ offers hope amid war and suffering

Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to find hope in Christ amid suffering, war, and sin during his Angelus address on July 5, saying Jesus never leaves his followers alone in carrying the burdens of life.

Reflecting on Jesus' invitation in Matthew's Gospel to "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens," Pope Leo said God's wisdom is revealed not through pride or human achievement, but through the humility of Christ.

"Human wisdom thus becomes arrogance, and doctrine degenerates into pride," the Pope said. "By contrast, God's true wisdom is revealed in the humility of the Incarnation."

Addressing Jesus' words that his yoke is "easy" and his burden "light," Pope Leo said the cross becomes bearable because Christ carries it alongside his disciples.

"For one reason alone: because the Lord himself carries it with us, never leaving us alone in what burdens us," he said. "The wisdom he gives us is therefore a proclamation of salvation, and his yoke lifts us up from every fall."

The Pope said following Christ is "not an asceticism that mortifies," but "a school of freedom" that brings meaning even in humanity's darkest moments.

"In slavery, Christ is liberation. Amid the scourge of war, Christ is hope. In the hour of sin, Christ is forgiveness," Pope Leo said. "This is true wisdom and the path that we wish to walk together, united as disciples in his name."

Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo recalled the July 2 beatification of Father Francis Xavier Tru'o'ng Bửu in Vietnam, who was killed "in hatred of the faith" in 1946.

"Amid oppression and violence, he defended the rights of the people and did not abandon his parishioners," the Pope said. "May his intercession and prayers strengthen all those who proclaim the Gospel in situations of persecution today."

The Pope also renewed his prayers for those affected by the recent earthquake in Venezuela.

"I continue to remember in my prayers the victims of the earthquake and all the Venezuelan people," he said. "May the Lord sustain them in this time of great hardship."

Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo entrusted the Church and the world to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking "Mary, Queen of Peace, to intercede for the good of the Church and of the whole world."