Pope warns against stereotypes and prejudices that obscure the mystery of the Church Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to contemplate \u201cthe mystery of unity and communion with the Church of Rome\u201d and to recognize that \u201cthe true sanctuary of God is Christ who died and rose again\u201d during his Sunday Angelus on the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square, the pope said in his catechesis that the Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of Peter\u2019s successor, \u201cis not only a work of extraordinary historical, artistic, and religious value, but it also represents the driving force of the faith entrusted to and preserved by the Apostles, and its transmission throughout history.\u201d He noted that this mystery \u201cshines forth in the artistic splendor of the building,\u201d which contains \u201cthe 12 large statues of the Apostles, the first followers of Christ and witnesses of the Gospel.\u201d The pope urged Christians to look beyond appearances and to see the Church\u2019s deeper reality. \u201cThis points to a spiritual perspective, which helps us to go beyond the external appearance, to understand that the mystery of the Church is much more than a simple place, a physical space, a building made of stones,\u201d he said. Recalling the Gospel account of Jesus cleansing the Temple, Leo XIV said: \u201cIn reality, the true sanctuary of God is Christ who died and rose again. He is the only mediator of salvation, the only redeemer, the one who, by uniting himself with our humanity and transforming us with his love, represents the door that opens wide for us and leads us to the Father.\u201d \u201cUnited with him,\u201d he continued, \u201cwe too are living stones of this spiritual edifice. We are the Church of Christ, his body, his members called to spread his Gospel of mercy, consolation, and peace throughout the world, through that spiritual worship that must shine forth above all in our witness of life.\u201d The pope cautioned that the sins and weaknesses of believers, together with \u201cmany clich\u00e9s and prejudices,\u201d often obscure the mystery of the Church. \u201cHer holiness, in fact, is not dependent upon our merits,\u201d he said, \u201cbut in the \u2018gift of the Lord, never retracted,\u2019 that continues to choose \u2018as the vessel of its presence, with a paradoxical love, the dirty hands of men.\u2019\u201d \u201cLet us walk then in the joy of being the holy people that God has chosen,\u201d Leo XIV concluded, inviting the faithful to pray: \u201cLet us invoke Mary, Mother of the Church, to help us welcome Christ and accompany us with her intercession.\u201d After praying the Angelus, the pope expressed his closeness to the people of the Philippines, where a massive typhoon has caused widespread destruction. \u201cI express my closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been hit by a violent typhoon: I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and displaced,\u201d he said. He also noted that the Church in Italy was observing its annual Thanksgiving Day and joined the Italian bishops in encouraging \u201cresponsible care for the land, combating food waste, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.\u201d Finally, Leo XIV made a heartfelt appeal for peace amid ongoing conflicts. \u201cIf we truly want to honor their memory,\u201d he said of recent war victims, \u201cwe must stop the wars and put all of our efforts into negotiations.\u201d The pope concluded by greeting groups of pilgrims from around the world and wishing everyone \u201ca blessed Sunday.\u201d This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Victoria Cardiel Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Cardinal Fern\u00e1ndez: Human Dignity Document to Be Published in Early April International Day of Prayer against Human Trafficking Reimagined Templar Knights Provide Assistance to 2025 Jubilee Pilgrims Pope Francis erects new diocese, names bishop in West African country of Guinea Vatican Could Be Close to Decision in Rupnik Case, Report Says Pope Francis\u2019 coffin to be sealed Friday evening ahead of Saturday funeral<\/p>\n