Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, has positively valued the first year of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, highlighting his role as a promoter of unity and peace in the international context. In statements disseminated by the German archdiocese on the occasion of the so-called “Pope’s Sunday,” the cardinal emphasized the pastoral style and priorities of the current Pontiff.
According to Marx, in this first year Leo XIV has shown himself “as someone who seeks balance and unity” and who places his ministry “at the service of peace in the world,” constantly recalling the Christian message of love, non-violence, and mercy.
Defense of peace and attention to the most vulnerable
The German cardinal also highlighted the Pope’s public interventions in the face of international conflicts. He stated that Leo XIV has spoken out “clearly and audibly against war and terrorism” and has raised his voice in favor of the poor and the oppressed.
In this sense, Marx expressed his recognition to the Pontiff in a global context marked by the persistence of armed conflicts and international tensions.
Celebration of the “Pope’s Sunday” in Munich
The cardinal’s statements are framed in the annual celebration of the “Pope’s Sunday,” which the Church commemorates around the date of the Pontiff’s election (May 8, 2026). On this occasion, Marx will preside over a Mass on May 3 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Munich.
The objective of the celebration, as he explained, is to give thanks for the pontificate of Leo XIV and to pray for his ministry, while remembering Pope Francis, who died after twelve years at the head of the Church.
Marx emphasized that, without being a replica of his predecessor, Leo XIV maintains a line of continuity with Pope Francis, especially in attention to marginalized people and in commitment to peace and reconciliation.
A recent context marked by tensions
These statements come a few days after Cardinal Marx himself denounced an alleged “coordinated campaign” against the German synodal process, following Leo XIV’s rejection of formal blessings for same-sex couples, an issue that has generated tensions between Rome and some sectors of the Church in Germany.
In this new intervention, however, the cardinal did not refer to that debate and centered his assessment on the institutional and pastoral aspects of the pontificate, highlighting unity and continuity as main axes.