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Pope to Portuguese military: Be strong in the Lord and protect citizens
Pope Leo XIV remembers two young Portuguese soldiers who recently passed away in a meeting with members of the Military Ordinariate of Portugal and he encourages those present to be strong in the Lord while protecting their homeland, the rule of law, and the lives and security of their fellow citizens.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
In an address to the members of the Military Ordinariate of Portugal, Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to find strength in the Lord in order to fulfil their missions with humility, knowing that humans are not self-sufficient.
“Every day, each of you has the noble mission of defending the sovereignty of your homeland and the rule of law, safeguarding the security of your fellow citizens and protecting them from injustice,” the Pope said in his meeting with the group at the Vatican on Monday, August 24.
The Pope extended his greetings “to all the members—Christians and non-Christians alike—of the Army, Air Force, Navy, National Republican Guard, and Public Security Police in Portugal” and also remembered two young soldiers who passed away on Friday, August 21.
They “lost their lives while generously stopping along the road, like the Good Samaritan, to offer assistance,” the Pope said, adding he entrusted them and their families to the Lord. The two military men were hit by a vehicle on a highway as they were helping a truck driver with a flat tire.
The members of the Military Ordinariate were in Rome to celebrate a series of anniversaries including the founding of the vicariate 60 years ago in 1966, its elevation to a military ordinariate in 1981 and the nomination of its first Bishop 25 years ago.
The Pope with members of Portugal’s Military Ordinariate (@VATICAN MEDIA)
Draw your strength from the Lord
In his address, the Pope called those who are Christian, to use this pilgrimage to Rome as an opportunity for personal renewal and to strengthen their faith. He encouraged them to follow St. Paul’s words in the Letter to the Ephesians: “Draw your strength from the Lord” and “stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.”
The Pope also urged them to be strong in the Lord like the centurion in Capernaum – who asked Jesus to heal his suffering servant – as he approached Christ knowing “that human beings are not self-sufficient, but aspire to something more, to something that transcends them.”
“He knew well the values by which you shape your lives: obedience, discipline, self-denial, loyalty, camaraderie, dedication, responsibility and courage,” the Pope explained, while underlining that this soldier “felt the need for God.”
In his attitude, the Pope noted, the centurion shows how he “valued hierarchy” and “this dimension of his daily life led him to understand his relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, whom he confessed as his Lord and his God.”
The Pope with members of Portugal’s Military Ordinariate (@VATICAN MEDIA)
The courage of humility
“On the one hand, this soldier was conscious of his authority; on the other, before the Son of God, he demonstrated the strength of faith and the courage of humility,” the Pope insisted.
“Indeed, no matter how much responsibility a person has, no matter how much power they exercise, no matter how irreproachable they may be, they are always hungry for the infinite and thirsty for eternity,” he emphasized.
“Now, the infinite and eternity are within our reach in Jesus Christ: they are a gift from the Lord,” he said.
Members of the Portuguese Military Ordinariate during their meeting with the Pope (@Vatican Media)
‘Chaplains, continue on your mission’
Finally, addressing the chaplains, the Pope noted how the Church entrusts to them “the spiritual growth of the military personnel and police officers.”
He encouraged them to welcome everyone, listen to them, bring them the Word of God and act in the name of Christ in celebrating the Sacraments and accompanying every person and their families.
“From this specific ministry will come the fruits of personal growth in the practice of Christian life and the strengthening of the esprit de corps of the Military and Security Forces whom you serve,” he continued, thanking them also for their service.
“Your witness of love for the Church and for the country is a balm that brings comfort and gives hope,” he said, concluding his address by praying that Our Lady of Fatima may accompany all those present in their missions.
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