Pope thanks Vatican staff for quiet service that supports faith and prayer.
Before delivering his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV met with directors, employees,s and family members from the Vatican’s florist office and building services, offering heartfelt thanks for what he described as their discreet and invaluable contribution to the life of the Church. He emphasized that their daily work, often carried out behind the scenes, plays a vital role in supporting the Vatican’s spiritual and pastoral mission.
Speaking personally to those responsible for maintaining Vatican spaces, the Pope praised their dedication, particularly during the recently concluded Jubilee Year. He noted that their commitment and professionalism ensured that millions of pilgrims were able to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in an orderly and peaceful way. This, he said, allowed the faithful to participate fully in liturgical celebrations, papal audiences, and major events marked by prayer and reflection.
Pope Leo underlined that such achievements are not merely technical or organizational successes. Instead, they help create an atmosphere in which pilgrims and visitors can encounter beauty, silence,e and reverence. He reminded the staff that their efforts contribute directly to moments of grace for people who travel from across the world seeking spiritual renewal and closeness to God.
Looking ahead, the Pope encouraged those present to continue their work with confidence and hope as new projects take shape. He referred in particular to ongoing improvements in technical and logistical services, as well as the careful upkeep of Vatican spaces dedicated to meetings, worship,ip and prayer. According to Pope Leo, the dignity and integrity of these places find their deepest meaning in serving the devotion of the faithful and advancing the Church’s pastoral mission.
Reflecting on the unique character of St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope described it above all as a sacred place of contemplation, recollection, and spiritual wonder. He added that St Peter’s Square, with its welcoming colonnade, stands as a visible sign of the Church’s open embrace, often serving as the first point of contact for pilgrims and visitors arriving in the Vatican.
During the meeting, Pope Leo invited the staff to unite their daily work with prayer, encouraging them to remember all those who pass through the places they care for. He said that faith and prayer give full meaning to every task, no matter how practical or routine it may appear. In this way, ordinary responsibilities become part of a shared spiritual mission.
The Pope also highlighted that the service provided by these Vatican offices is a quiet but essential support to his own apostolic ministry. He praised the broader work of the Governorate of Vatican City State and the Directorate for Infrastructure and Services, noting their careful oversight of the many responsibilities involved in maintaining the life of the Vatican.
Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo reminded everyone present that each person, regardless of role, belongs to one body within the Church. Especially in times of difficulty, he said, this unity strengthens the shared call to bear witness to the Gospel in fidelity to Christ, the Good Shepherd and head of the Church.
