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This afternoon, at 16.30, at the Altar of the Cathedra of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the funeral service was held for His Eminence Cardinal Camillo Ruini, of the Title of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura , Vicar General emeritus of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome and Archpriest emeritus of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

The funeral liturgy was celebrated by the Holy Father Leo XIV, together with the cardinals, archbishops and bishops.

We publish below the homily which the Pope delivered during the celebration:

 

Homily of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are celebrating this Eucharist entrusting our brother Cardinal Camillo Ruini, a wise and caring shepherd of Christ’s flock, to the Lord’s mercy.

For many years he served the Church, carrying out with the same dedication both the humblest tasks and those carrying the greatest responsibility which the Lord chose to entrust to him, as a priest, Bishop and Cardinal: in teaching, in study and theological reflection, in pastoral care, in youth ministry, in cultural affairs, in the care of the laity and vocations, and in the exercise of authority.

A great deal is owed to him by the Church in Italy, which he served for some seventeen years as President of the Episcopal Conference; the Diocese of Rome is equally indebted to him, where for the same length of time he carried out his ministry as Vicar of the Holy Father. He was able to guide the People of God and his brother bishops at important and delicate moments, facing numerous challenges with enthusiasm, discernment and courage.

We owe to him insights and initiatives that have left a profound mark on the journey of both the ecclesial and civil communities. We think of the “Cultural Project”; of the commitment he poured into promoting the Catholic world’s contribution across the most diverse spheres of Italian religious, civil and political life; of the great work of the Diocesan Synod and its implementation here in Rome; and of his active and engaging presence at various levels of the Church’s life, as well as in the secular world and society.

As we remember him and entrust him to the embrace of the heavenly Father, let us be enlightened by the Word of God that we have heard, and also by some of the thoughts he himself left in writing.

In the First Reading, the stirring words of the Apostle Paul resounded: “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Rom 8:38–39). This is the truth that also inspired Cardinal Ruini in his ministry. God’s love is faithful; nothing can God’s love is faithful; nothing can defeat it or separate us from it, for it is His gift, it comes from Him, and it is poured out upon us beyond all our merit and weakness. Our dear brother guided the faithful and the communities entrusted to him through many trials and tribulations during his long service, and it is precisely in the Lord’s invincible love and in our response of faith to this gift that we must seek the source of the strength with which he faced them.

In his Spiritual Testament, speaking of the many people towards whom he felt gratitude for the good they had bestowed upon him, Cardinal Camillo wrote: “From them I have received no less than what I have sought to give”. I believe these are words that can help us too to fulfil our responsibilities and carry out our various ministries with the same humility and the same trust in God.

Moreover, he himself bore witness that one of the resources that accompanied him the most throughout his long life, ever since his childhood, was prayer: simple, heartfelt, fresh in his earliest years, and then maturing over time, right up to the period of frailty and illness.

Another passage from Scripture that the Liturgy has offered us, and which can help us to live this moment of grace fruitfully, are the words of Jesus that we heard in the Gospel: “Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am” ( Jn 17:24). These words encapsulate the plan, direction and ultimate purpose of a life spent for the good of one’s brothers and sisters and lived in the constant pursuit of God’s plans for one’s own salvation and theirs. Cardinal Ruini wrote on this subject: I hope, Lord, that I have acted not out of personal interest but for the objectives entrusted to me and which I wholeheartedly shared” ( Spiritual Testament ). It is good to recall, at this moment, the reality that deeply animated his heart as a Shepherd, beyond and above every other concern. As we accompany him with prayer and the offering of the Eucharist, let us make his desire our own: to reach the place where the Lord awaits us and wants us to be, in eternal joy, and to journey towards that goal, each of us with the desire to share in it together with others, united in Him and amongst ourselves, for ever.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini had the grace to know personally and to work with some of the great saints of recent times, such as Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II. In particular, regarding his relationship with Pope Wojtyła, with whom he collaborated for so many years, he wrote: “In John Paul II I experienced your presence, Lord; I was able to witness first-hand the unity in prayer, the inseparability of prayer, life and apostolate, the courage of faith that guides history, and the capacity to love and forgive” ( ibid .).

I believe that the Cardinal was able to draw much from the great Pontiff’s example of unity of life, for we can also recognize in him many of the traits with which he describes the saintly Pope; and I think that this harmony of sentiments can also inspire us on our journey.

As the motto for his episcopate, our brother had chosen a phrase inspired by the Gospel of Saint John: Veritas liberabit nos , “The truth will set us free” (cf. Jn 8:32). These words sum up the profound understanding of the person and of freedom that Christ has revealed to us and which the Church teaches: we are made for truth and for goodness, and it is only in this that we find unity, peace and true fulfilment, both in this earthly life and for eternity. They clearly remind us of a message that is particularly significant for our times, in which we can be disoriented by relativist tendencies and by wholly fluid visions of reality and of the human person. Looking at Cardinal Ruini’s life, at how he lived and how he left this world, we can see a sign of the strength and stability with which a person grows and matures when they find in the Truth that comes from God the centre and fulcrum of their existence.

To conclude, I would like to express my gratitude to the people who, as already mentioned, accompanied, assisted and supported the Cardinal in his work, throughout his pastoral service and especially during his later years and in his infirmity. In particular, I would like to thank those who remained close to him until the very end with devoted care. May the Lord reward them all, grant comfort to his relatives and loved ones, and bestow upon him the reward of His peace that has no end.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience His Excellency Mr. José María Balcázar Zelada, President of the Republic of Peru, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial talks, which took place at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and Peru, and the will to consolidate them. Attention then turned to issues of mutual interest, including socio-economic developments, illegal mining, the promotion of the common good and dialogue, as well as the commitment to social cohesion.

The discussion continued with an exchange of opinions on the regional and international socio-political situation, with particular regard to the phenomenon of migration, organized crime and the repercussions of conflicts.

From the Vatican, 18 June 2026

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the participants in the 99 th Plenary Assembly of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO).

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

Your Eminence, Excellencies, Dear priests, brothers and sisters all,

A warm welcome to all of you! I am pleased to meet with you at the conclusion of your annual plenary assembly. I greet the Prefect, Cardinal Gugerotti, the other Superiors and the Officials of  the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches  and, especially you, the members of the ROACO Agencies.

In addition to your work on projects supporting the Eastern Catholic Churches — which is the main reason for your gathering — I understand that this time you have focused your discussions on a specific topic: the formation of clerics and monks in Eastern seminaries and colleges.

I believe this was a very wise decision. Supporting a Church, in fact, does not mean merely providing it with material means of subsistence, but also helping it to grow in its identity and in its ability to evangelize, which are based on the formation of ministers called to spread its spiritual riches. The Eastern Catholic communities preserve many of these, sharing them with their brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Churches. Yes, the Eastern Catholic Churches have a great gift to offer the entire Catholic community, which is often unaware of the diverse ecclesial traditions within its ranks.

Our Mother, the Church, is therefore united, yet not uniform; her fertile womb has given birth to various spiritual and theological traditions, as well as different rites and disciplines, which enrich one another. It is good for us to delve deeper into these treasures together with millions of our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters, as we look forward to progress toward full unity with all the Eastern Churches. All the ancient Eastern Churches, in fact, lead us back to the origins of the faith. They make the light of grace shine forth through liturgies rich in sacredness; they manifest in the worship of praise the mystery of God, who is to be adored; they bear witness to the power of intercessory prayer; they offer spiritual riches that fill the heart with wonder and grateful amazement at the beauty they reveal. They also lead the faithful to give voice to their own prayer according to the theological and anthropological characteristics most suited to each, so much so that  the Second Vatican Council  observed, regarding the Christian East and West: “It is hardly surprising, then, if sometimes one tradition has come nearer to a full appreciation of some aspects of a mystery of revelation than the other, or has expressed them better. In such cases, these various theological formulations are often to be considered complementary rather than conflicting” ( Unitatis Redintegratio , 17).

The Christian East can only be preserved if it is understood: to lose that understanding is to impoverish the Church. But to learn about it and love it, we must invest in formation. More than thirty years ago,  Saint John Paul II  pointed out the need for this, strongly emphasizing, among other things, the need “to know the liturgy of the Eastern Churches; to deepen … knowledge of the spiritual traditions of the Fathers and Doctors of the Christian East; … to offer appropriate teaching on these subjects in seminaries and theological faculties, especially to future priests” (Apostolic Letter,  Orientale Lumen , 24).

That is why your decision to help promote the formation of sacred ministers — by listening to experts dedicated to this field, as you have done in recent days — is a fine sign of your concrete concern for these Churches.

This bond between knowledge and charity, between open minds and working hands, also requires, however, a spiritual dimension: a heart that is not only generous, but also filled with grace and set ablaze by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, for the success of your efforts, undertaken with great commitment and dedication, I would like to urge you to always nurture your spiritual life, especially through constant prayer and participation in the sacraments. Good works, in fact, bear no lasting fruit unless they are nourished at the source of goodness, the source who is God. If it is true that “faith without works is also dead”, as we read in the Letter of James (2:26), it is likewise true that works, without a living faith, are fruitless.

My dear friends, as I look at you and reflect on the quiet, benevolent service you carry out — and on the many benefactors who, through you, channel resources to those in need — I cannot help but think of how much money, in this dark period of history, is being wasted on killing, squandered by so many who foment wars. While you generate life, they sow death; while you reach out to your brother, they seek enemies to crush; while you create dialogue, they seek monologues; while you open paths of hope, they lock people into fear; while you build the future, they destroy the present.

How can we fail to think of the painful exodus of Eastern Christians from their own lands, caused above all by war — which, I repeat, does not solve problems but creates tragedies, tragedies that are often consigned to oblivion? There is a plague, a scourge born of war, which I would like to speak about today, one that continues to drain the life blood of the Eastern Churches in particular. I define it with a single word: instability.

When a visitor travels to a country that has experienced conflicts now shrouded in silence, things generally may appear peaceful, even if deeply scarred by the tragedies of the past. Yet those societies are weakened by institutional instability, by the presence of armed gangs that divide up the territory and by a political system influenced and, not infrequently, manipulated by external agents and interests. Such a system does not act freely, but instead navigates a maze of subterfuge, secret agreements and partisan interests. As a result, a perpetual cycle of instability is created, stifling opportunities for development and always falling hardest on the poor.

As a result, fear and insecurity prevail everywhere in many countries: jobs seem precarious, wages are paid irregularly, healthcare — when it functions at all — is sporadic and education remains precarious. This is to the detriment of ordinary people, families, children and young people, the elderly and the sick. It becomes a tragedy that weighs on everyone’s hearts, devours hopes and makes it impossible to build for the future, which drives many to leave, as is the case for so many of our brothers and sisters in faith, especially in the Middle East.

I would like to appeal once again for reflection on the consequences of war and instability and for their prevention through wise and responsible decision making, for this is not the result of an inevitable fate, but of free choices and, therefore, of morally accountable actions. History shows how the schemes of violence and oppression, of power and domination, of gains made without justice and without scruples, backfire not only against those who suffer them, but also against those who pursue them. Let us pray to Jesus, the Lord of peace, and appeal to people’s consciences so that they may be moved by indignation; and may respect for humanity and a proper sense of civility be restored!

To you and to the many donors who, in the name of the Gospel, continue to commit yourselves to remedying such inhumanity, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I bless you, dear brothers and sisters and encourage you to persevere in charity without losing heart, sustained by the hope of Christ. Thank you.

During the audience granted to His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Supreme Pontiff authorized the same Dicastery to promulgate the Decrees regarding:

 

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Juan Torres Torres and 19 companions, diocesan priests, killed in hatred of the faith between August and September 1936, in the territory of the diocese of Ibiza, Spain, in the context of the same persecution;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Júlio Maria De Lombaerde (né Júlio Emilio Alberto), professed priest of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Family and Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, born in Waregem, Belgium, on 7 January 1878 and died near the present-day municipality of Alto Jequitibá, Brazil, on 24 December 1944;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Mary Teresa Tallon (née Julia Teresa), founder of the Congregation of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, born on 6 May 1867 in Hanover, United States of America, and died on 10 March 1954 in Monroe, United States of America;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Maria Agnese Tribbioli, professed religious sister and founder of the Congregation of the Pious Worker Sisters of Saint Joseph, born on 20 April 1879 in Florence, Italy, and died there on 27 January 1965;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Clara Andreu y Malferit (née Barbara Onofria), professed nun of the Hieronymite Monastery of Saint Bartomeu of Inca, born on 4 December 1596 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and died on 24 June 1628 in Inca, Spain;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Maria Petra Giordano (née Nicoletta), professed nun of the Order of Preachers, born on 4 July 1912 in Naples, Italy, and died on 21 June 2006 in Bibbiena, Italy.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, S.D.B., titular of Gradisca, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See; with Dr. Fabio Gasperini, secretary;

- His Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints;

- A delegation from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem;

- Bishops of Hong Kong and Macao, on their “ad Limina Apostolorum” visit;

- His Excellency Mr. José María Balcázar Zelada, President of the Republic of Peru, with his wife and entourage;

- Participants in the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO);

- Her Excellency Ms. Patricia Jacqueline Araya Gutiérrez, Ambassador of Chile, on her farewell visit.