Pope Leo urges Americans to draw strength from Eucharist at conclusion of National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Pope Leo XIV marked the conclusion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on July 5 by encouraging American Catholics to deepen their devotion to the Eucharist, saying the Church in the U.S. will find renewed strength for its mission by remaining rooted in Christ.

In a video message released by the Vatican, the Pope connected the pilgrimage with the nation's 250th anniversary, calling it "particularly appropriate to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America with a pilgrimage centered on our Lord."

"As you walked through many of the thirteen original colonies, you have prayed for unity, renewal and healing for the country, under the motto 'One Nation Under God,'" Pope Leo said. "These intentions are also close to my own heart."

The Pope thanked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the pilgrimage organizers, and those who participated either in person or virtually.

Reflecting on the country's Catholic roots, Pope Leo said the U.S. was "imbued with a sense of faith that recognizes God's sovereignty even before its formal establishment." He pointed to the Sept. 8, 1583, Mass celebrated in St. Augustine, Florida, by Spanish explorers and settlers as part of the nation's "strong, though largely unknown, Eucharistic heritage."

"This heritage, far from being forgotten, must continue to serve as source of both renewal and unity," he said.

The Pope also highlighted the witness of American saints, including St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Katharine Drexel, St. John Neumann, and Venerable Fulton Sheen, "who will soon be beatified." He also recalled St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, for whom the pilgrimage route was named.

"The intense apostolic activity of these holy men and women, and others like them, would not have been possible without the strength they drew daily from moments of silent prayer before the tabernacle," Pope Leo said.

Calling participants heirs to that legacy, the Pope said the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic processions, and adoration throughout the pilgrimage gave pilgrims "the strength and nourishment needed to continue your course."

Quoting St. John Paul II's 2003 encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope Leo said, "The Eucharist, as Christ's saving presence in the community of the faithful and its spiritual food, is the most precious possession which the Church can have in her journey through history."

"As the country marks the anniversary of the founding of its earthly homeland, it is my hope that this experience as pilgrims will also help you to fix your eyes on the heavenly one," he said. "It is precisely through her recognition and reception of this gift that the Church in the United States will find strength to carry on her charitable service to the wider society, especially in the areas of education, healthcare and basic social services, while at the same time continuing her mission to evangelize."

Pope Leo concluded by encouraging Catholics to continue living a Eucharistic life after returning home.

"As this pilgrimage comes to an end, I encourage you to place your lives under God's loving providence as you return to your homes, as well as to cultivate a strong Eucharistic life among your families, friends and communities," he said.

"Confident that the Eucharistic Pilgrimage will bear abundant fruits in the United States of America, I entrust all of you to the maternal intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary."