Summary
Pope Leo XIV addressed members of the diplomatic corps on January 9, emphasizing Saint Augustine’s De Civitate Dei as a key work in understanding history. The Pope highlighted that like Saint Augustine, who wrote his influential De Civitate Dei in response to the sack of Rome in 410 AD, current times draw inspiration from this ancient text. The document reiterates that Leo XIV sees De Civitate Dei as one of the most impactful works by Augustine, not only in political thought but also in Christian theological history. Echoing Pope Benedict XVI’s statement, Pope Leo XIV underscored the enduring relevance and cultural significance of Augustine’s work for contemporary times despite their significant temporal distance from these events. Key to Augustine’s perspective was his dichotomy between the heavenly city (Civitas Dei) characterized by love love for God, and the earthly city that focuses on human pride and power leading to destruction. Pope Leo XIV maintained that while modern contexts differ from those of the 5th century, Augustine’s insights remain relevant. He noted today’s deep migratory movements, geopolitical shifts, and societal changes echo similar dynamics described in De Civitate Dei. In contemporary context, Leo XIV emphasized Christian believers are called to reside within earthly society with their hearts and minds set towards heaven but not detached from the world of politics where they apply Christian ethics to civic governance.
Key Topics
Papal address, Agostino, De civitate Dei
