“Listen to God’s word carefully so that you can make wise choices in personal, household and social life” – in these words, Pope Leon XIV addressed Poles straight during his first general audience in St Peter's Square. This speech – full of spiritual and national messages – leaves no illusions: The Holy Father sees a peculiar mission and peculiar work in the Polish people.
Poland at the heart of the Pope
Pope Leon XIV greets Poles during the general audience in St Peter's Square – “Listen to God's word with attention so that you can make wise choices.”Pope Leon XIV's speech was international, but only 1 nation addressed words so profoundly rooted in a spiritual and social context. This nation was Poles. The Pope said:
"I warmly greet Polish pilgrims. The image of fields sown with seeds harmoniously fits into the scenery of your beautiful native land. Let the grain of God’s word besides grow in you and produce abundant fruit. perceive carefully to this word to be able to make wise choices in personal, family, and social life. With Heart I bless you.”
It wasn't just polite greetings – it was catechesis directed to us, Poles, profoundly embedded in national and Christian identity.
Non-random words in time
In the context of the upcoming elections in Poland, the papal call for "wise elections" takes on peculiar importance. The Holy Father does not point out candidates or parties – but he clearly says that elections – including those of citizens – should be taken in the light of the Gospel and on the basis of God's word. His words echoed the teaching of John Paul II, who reminded that “freedom, if not serving the truth, turns into enslavement”.
Spiritual Message and Patriotic Responsibility
The Pope spoke of “the native land”, a “seed” to produce “a rich harvest”. This is simply a mention to the Gospel, but besides to the Polish experience – agricultural, traditional, rooted in the earth and faith. This is simply a image of Poland as a country which has spiritual depth, which must cultivate values to bear fruit – in families, in society, in the country.
Leon XIV recalls that patriotism is not a political slogan, but a heart attitude – expressed in the interest of the common good, for the truth, for the culture and conscience of the nation.
Completion: Task for Poland
The words of Pope Leon XIV convey the message of hope, but besides of responsibility. They indicate that Poland has an crucial function to play – in the Church, in Europe, in the world. But in order to do so, Poles must perceive – not passwords, not media talk – but the word of God. The wisdom of our decisions is to grow out of him.
This is not the time to compromise with the truth. It's time to be faithful to the Gospel.
See the Vatican account: click here
