On February 9, Pope Francis addressed a message to members of the armed forces and police gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Security Services. He encouraged them never to lose sight of their essential mission: to protect life, promote peace, and defend justice.
Speaking during the Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father warned against ideologies that sow discord by pitting peoples against one another. He exhorted military and police personnel to be artisans of a more just world, where fraternity and solidarity take precedence over divisions. "Do not let propaganda poison you by pushing you to see some as enemies to be fought," he insisted.
Approximately 30,000 active and retired law enforcement officers from about a hundred countries participated in the event, including American military personnel and New York Police Department officers. This turnout testifies to the importance these men and women place on the spiritual dimension of their commitment to the common good.
Although suffering from bronchitis, Pope Francis insisted on presiding over the liturgy, reading the first lines of his homily himself before allowing Archbishop Diego Ravelli to continue the reading. Despite a weakened voice, he reaffirmed the importance for these servants of order to be courageous witnesses of God's love and to remain faithful to their mission of protecting life.
In his message, the Supreme Pontiff also paid tribute to police officers, prison guards, and rescue workers, highlighting their indispensable role in fighting crime, protecting the most vulnerable, and conducting rescue operations during natural disasters. He commended their commitment to safeguarding creation and their hard work to promote peace.
A Commitment in Service to Peace
At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Francis spoke again to guide the Angelus prayer and recall a fundamental principle:
"The use of weapons can only be justified for legitimate defense and never to establish domination over another people."
He issued an urgent appeal to silence weapons throughout the world and to listen to the cries of peoples seeking peace.
The Jubilee festivities began on February 8 with an open-air concert in Piazza del Popolo, despite persistent rain. This moment of communion allowed participants to gather in prayer and reflection on their vocation.
Among them, Jesuit Father Andriy Zelinskyy, a military chaplain of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, emphasized the importance of this pilgrimage as a return to the source: "We come to pray together, to stand against evil, and to renew our commitment to human dignity."
Several military personnel present shared their experiences of faith and commitment. Jessica Previlon, a senior airman based in the United States, shared that this event had given her renewed hope:
"We are all here for peace."
For her part, Kenzie Gaspard, stationed in California, read the first reading during the Mass and testified to her spiritual journey:
"I feel the call to service, both in my faith and in my military commitment."
Finally, Caleb Reichow, a servicemember stationed in Japan and about to complete his service, expressed his admiration for the spirit of sacrifice shared between faith and military life: "Serving others before oneself, being ready to give one's life for the good of all, that is what touches me deeply."