Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Military Ordinariate of Portugal at the Vatican on Monday, encouraging them to draw strength from God while fulfilling their mission to defend their homeland, uphold the rule of law, and protect their fellow citizens from injustice. Extending greetings across all branches of the Portuguese military and security forces—including both Christian and non-Christian members—the Pontiff highlighted the noble duty of safeguarding public security.
During the audience, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to two young Portuguese soldiers who tragically passed away the previous Friday. The service members lost their lives on a highway when they stopped to help a truck driver change a flat tire and were struck by a vehicle. Drawing a biblical parallel, the Pope praised them for generously stopping like the Good Samaritan to offer assistance, entrusting the fallen soldiers and their grieving families to the Lord.
Reflecting on the biblical example of the centurion in Capernaum, the Pope urged service members to embody the courage of humility. He noted that while military life is built on values like discipline, loyalty, and responsibility, true strength comes from recognizing human limits and turning toward God. No matter how much authority or power a person holds, the Pope emphasized, every individual ultimately longs for the infinite and eternal life found in Jesus Christ.
The pilgrimage to Rome marked several major milestones for the Military Ordinariate of Portugal, including the 60th anniversary of the vicariate’s founding in 1966, its elevation to a military ordinariate in 1981, and the 25th anniversary of the appointment of its first bishop.