HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS LEO XIV
Holy Mass for the Corps of the Vatican Gendarmerie
Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 3 October 2026
Isaiah 5:1-7
1 Let me sing for my beloved a love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? 5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry!
Matthew 21:33.43
33 “Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; 35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. 37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am very happy to celebrate the Eucharist for you and with you, on the occasion of the Feast of your patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel.
A little while ago, fifteen of you took your oath.
Now is the time for prayer.
In particular, let us pause briefly now to reflect on the Word of God.
It helps us to understand what it means to serve, to guard and to protect.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to us about the beloved and carefully tended vineyard.
It symbolizes God’s love for his people.
God did everything for his vineyard and expects good fruit from it.
The Lord calls all his children to work in his vineyard, so that we are both vineyard and laborer.
For you, gandarmes, this service is an opportunity to work in the Lord’s vineyard.
You are entrusted with places, entrances, buildings, and, above all, people.
One trait that stands out when meeting you is precisely care.
It is beautiful to see how you look at others not as problems to be solved, but as people to be respected and protected.
In the Gospel of Matthew (above), Jesus tells a parable that shows us a negative example: the vinedressers who forget that the vineyard does not belong to them but has been entrusted to them to care for it..
This parable is a valuable reminder for those who serve.
What we receive is a responsibility that must be guarded with humility and dedication and lived with discretion and a sense of duty.
As you know, authority, in the light of the Gospel, is expressed primarily in the ability to protect, listen to, and support others with balance, firmness, and respect.
Then, Jesus tells us that the owner of the vineyard sent his son.
The parable centers on this son, who represents Christ.
He must be at the center of your life and service. Jesus Christ.
Even before being gendarmes, you are men and women called to follow him.
From him, we learn strength that becomes meekness, vigilance born of trust, authority that walks with humility, and courage to intervene with a merciful heart.
In the second reading, Saint Paul told us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every circumstance make your requests known to God”
(Philippians 4:6 – Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.).
This is also a very appropriate word for your service.
There will be quiet days and difficult days; times when quick decisions are necessary, and situations that bring weariness and worry.
However, the gendarme does not carry the burden alone. He prays and knows how to entrust himself to God, finding in Him the peace that allows him to act with clarity and a serene heart.
The Apostle adds: “Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, honorable, virtuous, or praiseworthy—let these be the objects of your thoughts.”
(Philippians 4:8 – 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.).
Here is another feature of your “identikit”: a heart and a mind educated in goodness. Every external gesture begins with an inner gaze.
Those who protect others must first protect truth, justice, goodness, and respect within themselves. Protecting others requires having a heart guarded by the Lord.
Your work certainly requires vigilance, but today’s scripture invites you to do something even more profound: watch over yourselves with care.
Guard your heart so that it does not harden but remains docile to God and attentive to others. Guard your conscience so that it continues to guide you with righteousness. Guard fraternity among yourselves so that each one feels welcomed and supported, and never alone.
A group truly becomes a “community” when its members care for one another and learn to walk together, supporting each other with simplicity and love.
As I conclude this year, I would like to express my affection and gratitude to your families.
To the parents, spouses, children, and girlfriends: Thank you!
You know the sacrifices, absences, schedules, worries, and the weight of a service that often goes unseen.
To those who have served for so many years, and to the fifteen who took the oath today, I say this: Never forget whom and what you have chosen to serve.
Be reliable, discreet, and loyal.
Let Jesus inspire your service. May your finest badge be a heart that knows how to protect.
Let us entrust all of this to Our Lady.
May she, a woman of care and trust, accompany your families and each one of you.
Let us also ask St. Michael the Archangel to stand by your side, vigilant and ready to fight all evil. May she protect you in your service and help you remain faithful so that Jesus may always be at the center of your life and service.