Pope Leo XIV urged Italy’s Carabinieri military police to reject despair in the face of social injustice, declaring, “Do not yield to the temptation of believing evil has triumphed” during a special Mass at their Castel Gandolfo station this morning. Addressing the corps amid global conflicts, the Pontiff called on officers to honor their oath by combating crime “with the force of law and integrity,” ensuring the “Meritorious Corps” retains the Italian people’s esteem.
Emphasizing the Carabinieri’s motto “Faithful Through the Centuries,” the Pope linked their Marian devotion to members’ spirit of duty and self-sacrifice. He expressed “profound gratitude” for their service to Italy, its citizens, the Holy See, and pilgrims—particularly those visiting Rome during the Jubilee year.
Pope Leo XIV also cited Venerable Salvo D’Acquisto—a Gold Medal of Military Valor recipient now under consideration for beatification—as a model for the force. The homily reinforced the corps’ role as defenders of social order through uncompromising ethical commitment.