Pope: We are all seekers of God and his love

Vatican News

The February edition of the Italian magazine, Piazza San Pietro, is dedicated to the theme “Faith that endures suffering.” In the section dedicated to dialogue with readers, Pope Leo XIV responds to Rocco, an atheist from Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, who wrote him a letter sharing his struggle to believe in God.  

Rocco: an atheist searching for God

In his letter, Rocco quotes a poem he wrote about observing sunrises, sunsets, the starry sky and nature, which made him reflect on the “mystery of harmony.” The poem ends by stating, “I believe I do not believe, absolutely certain of nothingness, I continue to yearn for God. My drama is God! My restlessness is God!”

In his text, Rocco turns to the Pope for help by asking him the following questions: “How is it possible to consider oneself an atheist and love God? I feel this need to love God, but I consider myself an atheist, or perhaps, I believe I am one and deep down I am searching for God?”

Pope Leo’s response

Pope Leo responded to Rocco by quoting St. Augustine, who said, “You were within me, but I was outside myself, and there I sought you!”

“These words are enough to tell you that those who love God, those who seek Him with a sincere heart, cannot be atheists,” the Pope wrote.

He highlighted that “the real problem with faith is not believing or not believing in God, but seeking Him!” “He allows himself to be found by the heart that seeks him,” the Pope continued, “and perhaps the right distinction to make is not so much between believers and non-believers, but between seekers and non-seekers of God.”

He explained that even those who think they do not believe may, in reality, be ardent seekers of God. “You see, Rocco, we are all longing for Love, we are all seekers of God. And therein lies the dignity and beauty of our lives,” the Pope concluded.