Pope Leo XIV has reiterated that the priesthood is reserved to men and is rooted in apostolic succession.
Addressing pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on March 25, the Pope said the Church “is founded on the Apostles, whom Christ appointed as the living pillars of His mystical Body”, adding that it “possesses a hierarchical structure that works in the service of the unity, mission and sanctification of all her members”. His remarks formed part of an ongoing catechetical series on the Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution Lumen gentium.
Drawing directly on the text, Leo emphasised that the apostolic ministry “is permanently founded on the Apostles” and continues through their successors, who are entrusted to “sanctify, guide and instruct the Church”. He stressed that this structure “is not a human construct, functional to the internal organisation of the Church as a social body, but a divine institution”.
The Pope also underlined the Council’s teaching on the distinction between the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful, quoting Lumen gentium: they “differ in essence and not only in degree”, though they are “nonetheless interrelated”. The ministry conferred through Holy Orders, he said, is given to those endowed with sacra potestas for service within the People of God.
The Pope also focused on the character of those who exercise that ministry, praying that the Church may have ministers “who are ardent with evangelical charity, dedicated to the good of all the baptised, and courageous missionaries in every part of the world”.
Leo also pointed to the Council’s deliberate presentation of hierarchy within the wider mystery of the Church. The discussion in Lumen gentium follows its treatment of the Church as the People of God, a sequence which, he suggested, shows that hierarchy is not an addition but integral to the Church’s nature. Citing the conciliar text, he noted that the Apostles were “the first budding-forth of the New Israel, and at the same time the beginning of the sacred hierarchy”.
The Pope further highlighted the collegial dimension of apostolic ministry, recalling that the task entrusted to pastors “is a true service”, described in Scripture as diakonia. He reinforced this by quoting Paul VI, who said the hierarchy is “born of the charity of Christ, to fulfil, spread and ensure the intact and fruitful transmission of the wealth of faith”.
Near the end, the Pope asked for prayers for religious vocations: “Let us pray to the Lord that he may send to his Church ministers who are ardent with evangelical charity, dedicated to the good of all the baptised, and courageous missionaries in every part of the world.”
