Pope Leo XIV pays a visit to the headquarters of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and blesses a sculpture called “The Tree of Human Dignity.”
By Salvatore Cernuzio
On the day the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te was published, Pope Leo XIV visited the Dicastery’s headquarters at Palazzo San Callisto, in the Trastevere district, to meet its members and staff.
He expressed his gratitude for the work of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and encouraged them in their mission.
The Pope answered several questions, personally greeted each person present, and blessed the sculpture “The Tree of Human Dignity,” which recalls the roots of the Dicastery, which was born from the merger of four Pontifical Councils.
“On the occasion of my visit to the Dicastery, on the same day as the publication of Dilexi te, I thank all of you who make your work a true expression of the Church’s mission,” the Pope inscribed in the guest book.
He arrived at the Palazzo San Callisto at around 3:30 PM, concluding an intense day that began with three audiences, continued with Mass for participants in the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, and included the publication of his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te.
Earlier in the morning, the Prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal Michael Czerny, was among the speakers presenting the document at the Holy See Press Office.
Pope Leo speaks to the Dicastery’s staff and directors
Questions and greetings
The Pope referred to his first exhortation both in his written dedication and during his meeting with all the members and employees of the Dicastery (some connected online) in the Văn Thuận Hall.
Those present described it as a “simple and profound” moment, during which Pope Leo XIV responded to spontaneous questions from staff members, some concerning the calls and appeals to mission and service to the poor contained in Dilexi te.
“Thank you for your work,” and “thank you for your dedication,” the Pope told the staff of this Dicastery, which carries out the Holy See’s mission in numerous areas around the world, including regarding migration, economy, ecology, health, education, and security.
During his roughly two-hour visit to San Callisto, Pope Leo also held a private meeting with Cardinal Czerny, Sister Alessandra Smerilli (Secretary), and the two Undersecretaries, Cardinal Fabio Baggio and Monsignor Anthony Ekpo.
Several gifts were presented to the Pope, who took time to personally greet everyone, pausing with some for brief conversations and light exchanges.
The Pope blessed a photograph shown to him by Mercedes de la Torre, a Mexican-born journalist and staff member of the Dicastery’s communications office. The photo depicted her mother and late father, who had passed away exactly one year earlier. Deeply touched, the Pope blessed her and her family.
‘The Tree of Human Dignity’
Blessing of “The Tree of Human Dignity”
One of the main moments of the visit was the blessing of the sculpture “The Tree of Human Dignity,” an installation inaugurated in July that symbolizes continuity between past and present—the roots of this Dicastery, established by Pope Francis in January 2017 through the merger of four former Pontifical Councils: Cor Unum, Justice and Peace, Migrants and Itinerant People, and Health Care Workers.
From them, the Dicastery inherited its various areas of responsibility and the mission to promote the human dignity of every person, without exception, with particular attention to the weak, the marginalized, and the excluded.
This was the second time Pope Leo XIV has visited a Dicastery. The first was on May 20, less than two weeks after his election to the See of Peter, when he visited the Dicastery for Bishops—the Curial body where he had served as Prefect for two years.
