Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV on Friday renewed his call for unity in the Catholic Church, urging priests to work closely with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a divided world. During a special Holy Year week for clergy in Rome, he hosted meetings, ordained 32 new priests at St. Peter’s Basilica, and sent a written message to priests worldwide. Leo emphasized humility over perfection, encouraged priests to foster communion despite tensions, and acknowledged declining priestly vocations, especially in Europe, the Associated Press has reported. His consistent focus on unity follows calls to heal rifts that deepened during Pope Francis’ divisive pontificate.