Pope Leo XIV marked his third Sunday at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, presiding over Mass for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time at the nearby Cathedral of Albano. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of reflection and hospitality during the summer season.
The Pope reflected on the first reading from Genesis, where Abraham’s response to three visiting guests was one of hospitality. This encounter encouraged him to think about how God chose the path of hospitality to enter into Abraham and Sarah’s lives. He noted that this can be applied to our daily lives, where we need to reflect on how we treat others.
Turning to the Gospel, Pope Leo commented on Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary, highlighting the twin dimensions of hospitality – service and listening. The Pope stressed that these attitudes are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected aspects of living a life of love and service.
In today’s busy world, it can be easy to get caught up in distractions and lose focus on God. The Pope encouraged everyone to make use of their summer vacation to push aside commitments and worries, and instead, savor moments of peace and reflection. By doing so, we can create a culture of peace, care for others, and build genuine relationships.
In his final words, the Pope presented the Bishop of Albano with a chasuble, expressing his closeness to the diocesan Church and hoping that God’s blessing would always accompany him. The Pope thanked the bishop for his service and extended gratitude to his people.
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07