It was the first homily delivered by Pope Leo, the first American to serve as leader of the Catholic Church. It was a clarion call not just to the 1.39 billion Catholic faithful around the world—almost 17% of the world’s total population. And nearly 20% of America’s total population, too, with followers of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and ages.
It was also a call to Christians around the world, nearly 2.6 billion, and growing—especially in Africa, where there were a mere 10 million Christians in 1900. Today’s number is nearly 750 million and growing, and nearly 50% of the continent’s total population.
The homily was also a uniquely designed message to the secular world—and the secular Western world in particular. To Europeans and Americans alike.
He began his homily with these words:
‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Mt 16:16)….
