Pope Leo XIV Visits San Marino to Promote Civil Liberty and Dignity

Visit to the Republic of San Marino

Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, for a pastoral visit centered on the foundations of human freedom and personal dignity. Arriving at the Aviosuperficie di Torraccia shortly before 9 a.m. via a helicopter that departed about an hour earlier from the Vatican heliport, the pontiff was welcomed by the Captains Regent of the Republic, Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva.

The visit marks the third papal trip to San Marino, following earlier visits by John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It also distinguishes Leo XIV as the first head of state in at least 40 years to appear from the central balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico.

Following his arrival, the pope proceeded to Piazza della Libertà, where he received military honors with the execution of the anthems. After the presentation of the Secretaries of State inside the Palazzo Pubblico, the pontiff and the Captains Regent reached the Sala Consiglio dei XII for a private colloquium and the signature of the Book of Illustrious Guests.

Discussions continued nearby at the Sala del Consiglio Grande e Generale. During the proceedings, the pope also received in gift a sweatshirt of the San Marino team participating in the Mediterranean Games in progress in Taranto. The pope and the regents then stepped onto the central balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico to offer a greeting and the blessing to the faithful in the square.

Addresses on Freedom and Civil Liberty

Addressing the republic’s authorities, the pontiff examined the true nature of freedom beyond mere political self-determination. In the context of the history of a people and a State, freedom expresses the aspiration to self-determination and to not depend on other political authorities, but Libertas means much more, the Pope underlined.

Prevost expressed deep appreciation and found a particular consonance with the attitude of the Holy See, stating: Libertas, for you, also means an unflagging commitment to an active and positive participation in the construction of peace.

There is no true civil liberty without personal liberty, that is, without respect and promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which freedom is an essential component, the Pontiff affirmed. Expanding on these themes, the pontiff linked this personal freedom directly, noting that this freedom is donated and guaranteed by God, whose voice resonates in the conscience of every human being. The pope cautioned against reducing liberty to the absence of limits or the transformation of every desire into a right.

Warnings Against Idols and Power

During his address to the state authorities, the pontiff warned against economic and political frameworks that are enslaved by idols and power while presenting themselves in the name of freedom. Freedom is realized in gift, in communion, in encounter and in dialogue, the Pope said, adding that instead we sometimes face idolatry that spoils at the root those political and economic projects which present themselves in the name of freedom, but in reality are slaves to idols and power. In the Christian vision, freedom and communion stand or fall together.

The pope also paid homage to all those people who defend freedom even paying personal costs, noting that promoting freedom entails defending the spaces of conscience. Citing San Tommaso Moro, patron of rulers and politicians, Pope Leo recalled: Even today, in many parts of the world, there is no lack of people who remain faithful to their conscience.

Speech in the Basilica of San Marino

Addressing young people in particular during his speech in the basilica of San Marino, he added: Do not be afraid to make demanding choices. He also noted: We live in a wounded world, which increases closures and fear of the other.

Describing San Marino as a laboratory of good policy founded on the common good and human dignity, the pontiff emphasized the protection of every life in its every phase, from conception to natural death. Following the morning events, and a private lunch in Pennabilli with the Augustinian nuns of the monastery of Sant’Antonio da Padova, the Pope departed around 12 to continue his pastoral visit to the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples and the city of Rimini.