Catholic leaders call for faith expressed through mercy and service

Catholic religious leaders have issued calls for faith to be expressed through active service, mercy, and reconciliation.

In Oaxaca, Mexico, Archbishop Pedro Vázquez Villalobos urged the Catholic community to transform their personal relationship with Jesus Christ into tangible actions such as forgiveness and attention to others. During a homily, he emphasized that faith should not be a matter of routine but a personal experience that manifests in daily life, family, and service to neighbors.

In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV addressed thousands of faithful during the Angelus prayer, stressing the importance of empathy and reconciliation to combat social fragmentation. He described forgiveness as a sign of spiritual strength rather than weakness and called for sincere dialogue to heal wounds within families and communities. The Pope also requested prayers for peace in regions affected by armed conflict and natural disasters.