Pope Leo: Church must bring Christ’s peace ‘beyond boundaries already drawn’
Reflecting on the faith of the Canaanite woman, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to remain open to God’s unexpected work and reject barriers that undermine human dignity.
In his Angelus address for Aug. 16, the Pope Leo XIV reminded pilgrims gathered in Castel Gandolfo that every Sunday points Christians toward Jesus’ resurrection, “new life that draws us in.”
Speaking on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, one day after the Solemnity of the Assumption, the Pope reflected on Matthew 15:21-28 and the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman who persistently sought healing for her daughter.
Jesus had withdrawn to the region, likely seeking a secluded place to pray and instruct his disciples, Pope Leo explained. Although he initially does not grant the woman’s request, Jesus ultimately praises her faith and answers her plea. The encounter shows Christ allowing the woman’s words and circumstances to move him to respond, demonstrating faithfulness to his mission, Pope Leo XIV remarked.
“Even today, the Church can be surprised by God’s work and spread the peace of Christ beyond boundaries already drawn,” the Pontiff said, according to the translation on the Vatican’s website. “Her mission is anticipated by divine grace, which works in the depths of our consciences, so that in every encounter — even those that disrupt our plans — we are to listen attentively by opening our eyes and hearts to what God wants to tell us.”
The Canaanite woman’s faith also reveals that there is a place for everyone at God’s table, the Pope said.
“Each person has his or her own place with the Father,” the Pope remarked. “In the light of this faith, inequalities, discrimination and barriers that trample on the dignity of too many of God’s sons and daughters become unbearable.”
In a world longing for peace, Pope Leo encouraged the Church to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He pointed to her Magnificat as “the song of one who now sees reality through God’s eyes and, for this reason, does not lose hope and acts in charity.”
Following the Angelus, the Pope called for efforts toward a two-state solution for peace in the West Bank and expressed hope that the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, which will bring together countries from across the region, would foster peace and friendship locally and around the world.
