Pope Leo XIV received this Monday, August 24, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace a delegation from the Military Ordinariate of Portugal, which had come to Rome on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the former Military Vicariate and the 25th anniversary since it had its first bishop of its own. In his address, the Pontiff recalled that the mission of military personnel and security forces consists in defending «the sovereignty of the Fatherland and the rule of law,» ensuring the security of their fellow citizens and protecting them from injustices, and he exhorted them to remain «strong in the Lord.»
Leo XIV presented the centurion of Capernaum as an example for those who exercise authority and highlighted values proper to military life such as «obedience, discipline, self-denial, loyalty, camaraderie, dedication, responsibility, and courage,» united with faith and humility before God. «The human person, no matter how much responsibility he may have, no matter how much power he may exercise, no matter how blameless he may be, always hungers for the infinite and thirsts for eternity,» he affirmed. The Pope also asked the chaplains to accompany spiritually the military, police, and their families, and entrusted their missions in Portugal and abroad to Our Lady of Fatima.
Below is the complete address of the Holy Father:
ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
TO THE DELEGATION OF THE MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF PORTUGAL
Hall of the Consistory
Monday, August 24, 2026
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you!
Most Reverend Excellency,
Distinguished Authorities,
Reverend Chaplains,
Dear brothers and sisters:
You have come to Rome and with you, in a certain sense, have come also the other members of your units. In welcoming you, I extend my greeting to all the members—Christian and non-Christian—of the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the National Republican Guard, and the Public Security Police of Portugal. In a special way, I remember in the light of the Risen Christ the two young soldiers of the Army who, last Friday, lost their lives while, generously, like the good Samaritan, they stopped on the way to offer assistance: I commend them to the Lord, together with their families.
Thinking of the good of all the corps of the Armed Forces and Security, of their members and their respective families, sixty years ago the Vicariate was erected, which in 1981 came to be called the Military Ordinariate and which, twenty-five years ago, had its first bishop of its own. You have therefore wished to come to Rome to commemorate precisely these anniversaries. May the Ordinariate, contributing its invaluable service to the spiritual good and the knowledge of Christian values, continue to be a space of constructive collaboration with the state, governmental, and military authorities.
For those who believe in Christ, a pilgrimage to this city represents a unique opportunity to renew oneself, recognizing the centrality of God in one’s own life and strengthening faith through prayer at the tomb of the Apostle Saint Peter. Each day, each one of you is entrusted with the noble mission of defending the sovereignty of the Fatherland and the rule of law, watching over the security of your fellow citizens and protecting them from injustices. Therefore, I would like to repeat to you this exhortation of Saint Paul: «Be strong in the Lord. […] Stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace» (Eph 6:10, 14-15).
Be strong in the Lord like the centurion who, in Capernaum, approached Jesus. He knew well the values by which you govern your life: obedience, discipline, self-denial, loyalty, camaraderie, dedication, responsibility, and courage. At the same time, that soldier felt the need for God; he knew that the human person is not self-sufficient but aspires to something more, to something that transcends him. Having a servant who was suffering terribly, this led him to approach Jesus, who assured him that he would come to heal him. He, however, replied: «Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it» (Mt 8:8-9). In this attitude, one can see how the centurion valued hierarchy and how this dimension of his daily life led him to interpret his relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, whom he confesses as his Lord, his God. Amazed by such words, Jesus said: «I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith» (v. 10). If, on the one hand, this soldier was aware of his authority, on the other he showed before the Son of God the strength of faith and the value of humility. In truth, the human person, no matter how much responsibility he may have, no matter how much power he may exercise, no matter how blameless he may be, always hungers for the infinite and thirsts for eternity. Now, the infinite and eternity are within our reach in Jesus Christ: they are a gift from the Lord.
Most Reverend Excellency, dear chaplains, to you the Church entrusts the spiritual growth of the military and police of your nation. Welcome all, listen to them, enlighten them with the wisdom of the Word of God, remain at their side acting in the name of Christ in the celebration of the Sacraments, accompany each one without forgetting their families. From this specific ministry of yours will be gathered the fruits of personal growth in the practice of the Christian life and the strengthening of the esprit de corps of the Armed Forces and Security to which you serve. Thank you for the closeness that, as good shepherds, you offer to those who carry out a service so important, special, and demanding for the good of Portugal and not only of Portugal. Your witness of love for the Church and for the country is a balm that comforts and gives hope.
And finally, to all who have come here, I wish to thank you for the esteem, appreciation, and recognition for the work carried out in the Ordinariate. May Our Lady of Fatima accompany you in the various missions, both in Portugal and abroad. The joy of the Lord be your strength. May God bless you! Thank you!