Pope Leo XIV Says Christ’s Unconditional Love Inspires Humanity to Love Others

Vatican City, May 2026 : Pope Leo XIV on Sunday reminded the faithful that the foundation of Christian life lies in recognizing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, saying that it is Christ’s love that enables people to truly love one another.

Delivering his Regina Caeli address at the Vatican before thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope reflected on the Gospel passage from St. John in which Jesus, during the Last Supper, tells His disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

The Holy Father explained that Christ’s words should not be misunderstood as a condition for earning God’s love. Instead, he emphasized that God’s love comes first and forms the basis of human righteousness and obedience.

“The Lord does not leave us alone in life’s trials,” Pope Leo XIV said, reassuring the faithful during his Sunday address. He noted that many people mistakenly believe they are loved by God only if they perfectly follow His commandments.

Rejecting that interpretation, the Pope said divine love is not a reward for human actions but rather the source from which genuine faith and obedience emerge.

“This statement frees us from the misconception that we are loved because we keep the commandments,” the Pope said. “On the contrary, God’s love is the condition for our righteousness.”

He further explained that believers are truly able to follow God’s will only when they recognize and accept the love that God has already shown to humanity through Jesus Christ.

According to Pope Leo, Christ’s message is not a threat or ultimatum, but an invitation to enter into a loving and transformative relationship with God.

The Pope stressed that the commandment to love one another becomes possible only because Jesus Himself first loved humanity.

“It is Jesus’ love that begets love within us,” he said, adding that Christ remains the perfect example and measure of authentic love — a love that is faithful, unconditional and eternal.

“Because God loves us first, we too can love,” the Holy Father noted. “And when we truly love God, we truly love one another.”

Drawing a comparison with life itself, Pope Leo said that just as only those who have received life can truly live, only those who have experienced love are capable of genuinely loving others.

He described the commandments of the Lord as “a way of life” that protects humanity from false and selfish forms of love while guiding believers toward spiritual healing and salvation.

Reflecting further on Christ’s promises to His followers, Pope Leo XIV said Jesus never abandons people during difficult moments in life. Instead, He promised the coming of the “Paraclete” — the Holy Spirit, whom the Pope described as the “Spirit of truth” and the advocate who accompanies believers in their struggles.

Even amid violence, division and suffering in the world, Christians are called to bear witness to God’s love through their words and actions, the Pope said.

At the same time, he cautioned against forces that seek to create hatred, division and mistrust among people. Referring to the devil as the “father of lies,” the Pope warned that evil constantly attempts to oppose truth and turn humanity against itself.

While the Holy Spirit leads believers toward truth and unity, he said the forces of falsehood seek to destroy relationships, weaken faith and obstruct the mission of love entrusted to Christians.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by encouraging the faithful to remain grateful for the enduring and unconditional love of Christ. He also urged believers to entrust themselves to the care and intercession of the Virgin Mary.

The Regina Caeli prayer, traditionally recited during the Easter season, ended with prayers for peace, unity and renewed faith among people across the world.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)