Pope Leo XIV: Build the Church on the solid foundations of Christ, not on worldly criteria At the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to build the Church on \u201csolid foundations\u201d rooted in Christ rather than on \u201cworldly criteria\u201d that demand immediate results and overlook the value of patience and humility. Celebrating Mass for the solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica \u2014 the cathedral of the bishop of Rome and the oldest church in the city \u2014 the pope reflected in his homily on the meaning of this feast and on the Church as a living temple built of \u201cliving stones.\u201d \u201cThe millennial history of the Church teaches us that with God\u2019s help, a true community of faith can only be built with humility and patience,\u201d he said. \u201cSuch a community is capable of spreading charity, promoting mission, proclaiming, celebrating, and serving the apostolic magisterium of which this temple is the first seat.\u201d The pope drew on the image of the basilica\u2019s physical foundations to speak about the spiritual foundations of the Church. \u201cIf the builders had not dug deep enough to find a solid base on which to construct the rest, the entire building would have collapsed long ago,\u201d he said. \u201cAs laborers in the living Church, we too must first dig deep within ourselves and around ourselves before we can build impressive structures. We must remove any unstable material that would prevent us from reaching the solid rock of Christ.\u201d Citing St. Paul\u2019s words that \u201cno one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ,\u201d the pope encouraged Christians to \u201cconstantly return to Jesus and his Gospel and be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit,\u201d warning against \u201coverloading a building with heavy structures whose foundations are too weak to support.\u201d Pope Leo XIV also cautioned against haste and superficiality in serving God\u2019s kingdom. \u201cLet us dig deep, unhindered by worldly criteria, which too often demand immediate results and disregard the wisdom of waiting,\u201d he said. Reflecting on the Gospel story of Zacchaeus, the pope said that when Jesus calls believers to take part in God\u2019s great project, \u201che transforms us by skillfully shaping us according to his plans for salvation.\u201d The image of a \u201cconstruction site,\u201d he added, captures \u201cthe concrete, tangible efforts of our communities as they grow every day, sharing their charisms under the guidance of their pastors.\u201d Acknowledging that the Church\u2019s current journey \u2014 particularly in the context of the Synod \u2014 requires perseverance, he urged the faithful not to be discouraged. \u201cLet us not allow fatigue to prevent us from recognizing and celebrating this good, so that we may nourish and renew our enthusiasm,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter all, it is through charity in action that the face of our Church is shaped, making it ever clearer to all that she is a \u2018mother,\u2019 the \u2018mother of all Churches,\u2019 or even a \u2018mom,\u2019 as St. John Paul II said when speaking to children on this very feast day.\u201d Turning to the liturgy, the pope said it is \u201cthe summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed… the source from which all its power flows.\u201d He called for particular care for the liturgy at the See of Peter, so that it \u201ccan serve as an example for the whole people of God.\u201d \u201cIt must comply with the established norms, be attentive to the different sensibilities of those participating, and keep with the principle of wise inculturation,\u201d he said. At the same time, it should remain \u201cfaithful to the solemn sobriety typical of the Roman tradition,\u201d ensuring that \u201cthe simple beauty of the rites expresses the value of worship for the harmonious growth of the whole body of the Lord.\u201d \u201cI hope that those who approach the altar of Rome\u2019s cathedral go away filled with the grace that the Lord wishes to flood the world,\u201d Pope Leo XIV concluded. This story was first published 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. 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