Pope Leo XIV Shares Lunch and a Dream of Love with Friends in Need

Written by Deborah Castellano Lubov

Imagine being invited to a picnic in a beautiful garden by the most important person in the Catholic Church! That’s exactly what happened recently at a special event called "Lunch with the Pope."

What Is This Special Lunch?

In a pretty place called Borgo Laudato si’ (located in the Pope’s own gardens at Castel Gandolfo), Pope Leo XIV sat down to eat with about 200 people who are having a tough time in life. Nearly 40 children were there too! These guests are helped by the Diocese of Rome (the local Catholic community in Rome) and groups that do good deeds for others. The guests spent the day enjoying the beauty and peaceful feeling of the Borgo Laudato si’ initiative.

The Pope didn’t just feed their tummies—he fed their hearts with hopeful words.

The Pope’s "Hunger" for Goodness

Usually, important people write a speech. But Pope Leo XIV said he came without a prepared speech. Instead, he said he came with a different kind of hunger.

Important Point: What did the Pope mean by "hunger"?
He meant a strong wish for:

• Justice (fairness for everyone)
• Genuine charity (real love and help for others)
• A welcoming Church (a community of believers) that truly knows how to open its doors, welcome everyone, love all people, have no enemies, and practice saying sorry, forgiving, and living in peace.

He invited everyone to help build a Church filled with justice, peace, and love.

How the Day Unfolded (Step by Step)

The fun and holy day wasn’t just about lunch! Here is what happened:

1. A Special Church Service (Mass): Cardinal Fabio Baggio (the Director General of the Laudato Si’ Centre for Higher Education) led the service. He was helped by Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín. (The Archbishop is the Pope’s special helper who gives aid to poor people—called an Almoner—and he leads the Church’s charity department, called the Dicastery for the Service of Charity).
2. A Guided Walk: The guests took a tour with a guide to see and enjoy the Borgo.
3. The Lunch: Finally, everyone shared a meal together in the gardens with the Pope.

Building Bridges Like a "Pontiff"

When the Pope welcomed his guests, he reminded them of a special word: Pontiff. This is one of the Pope’s titles, and it simply means "builder of bridges" (someone who connects people).

The Pope said that today, they want to build a bridge:

• To the guests and their families
• To the wider world
• To a society where fairness rules, the causes of poverty are eliminated, and unfairness is overcome

He said clearly: "This is the Church we want to be."

Jesus at the Table

The Pope also said "thank you" to the people who cooked and organized the lovely meal. He explained a sweet idea: when we sit and share food together in a spirit of friendship, it’s like Jesus (a central figure in Christianity) is sitting right there with us at the table.

By doing this, he said we are "truly building a different world, a world of hope, a world that is a light."

Our Job in a Broken World

The Pope noticed that our world sometimes feels broken. He said it is often split apart by:

• Violence (hurting others)
• Hatred (strong dislike)
• Discrimination (treating people unfairly because they are different)

He encouraged everyone to stick together, care for one another (solidarity and mutual care), and keep trying to be that Church of justice, peace, and love.

Important Point: Before everyone ate, the Pope said a blessing prayer. He asked for:

• God’s blessing on everyone and the food (shared with thanks for the generosity of many benefactors/donors)
• Blessings on their families
• Comfort and blessing for anyone in difficulty or suffering
• Peace, forgiveness, and making-up (reconciliation) for all
• A thank you to God for the gifts from His care (providence), ending with "Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Summary

Pope Leo XIV hosted a heartwarming "Lunch with the Pope" for 200 vulnerable people and children in the beautiful Borgo Laudato si’ gardens. He arrived without a script but with a "hunger" for justice, charity, and a Church that welcomes everyone. Through a day of prayer, walking, and sharing food, he encouraged all to be "bridge builders" in a broken world, praying for blessings, peace, and love for every person.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV is the leader of the Catholic Church. In this story, he is the one hosting the lunch and sharing hopeful messages about love and fairness.

2. What does "Borgo Laudato si’" mean?
It is a special place inside the Pope’s gardens at Castel Gandolfo. It is designed to help people enjoy nature, spirituality (feeling close to God), and peace.

3. Why did the Pope say he had "hunger" if there was food?
He wasn’t talking about his stomach! He used "hunger" as a simple way to say he strongly desires (really wants) justice, true charity, and a Church that opens its arms to every single person.

4. What is a "Pontiff"?
A Pontiff is a fancy word for a Pope or bridge-builder. It means someone who connects people and brings them together instead of pushing them apart.

5. What is an "Almoner" or "Dicastery"?
An Almoner (like Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín) is a Church official who gives help, money, or food to people who are poor. A Dicastery is just a fancy word for a department of the Church—in this case, the department that handles charity work.