Pope Leo denounces 'exclusion mentality' in Pentecost message

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged believers to reject what he described as a “mindset of exclusion,” warning that such attitudes have fueled rising nationalism across the globe.

While the pontiff refrained from referencing any specific political events or naming global leaders, his message carried weight calling on the faithful to “open the borders of their hearts and minds.”

The homily was delivered during Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Square, under clear skies, and marked one month since the former Robert Prevost of Chicago was elevated to the papacy.

Prior to celebrating Mass, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV greeted thousands of worshippers as he rode through the vast Baroque expanse of St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile, receiving jubilant applause from a crowd the Vatican estimated at around 80,000.

In his Pentecost address, the pontiff called on the Church to "dismantle the divisions among peoples" and to break down walls built around class, race, and difference.

He urged the faithful to rise above fear of others, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit “dismantles boundaries and tears down the walls built by hatred and apathy.”

"Where love takes root, there’s no place for prejudice or dividing lines," Pope Leo said. "No space for protective barriers that separate us from others, nor for the exclusionary mentality now reappearing within the wave of political nationalism."

Although he did not mention national borders directly, his emphasis on walls and division appeared to echo ongoing global debates around immigration, including policies championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to curb illegal immigration into the United States.

Pope Leo XIV also described the Holy Spirit as a healing force for relationships poisoned by “mistrust, bias, or the urge to control others.”

Speaking with evident sorrow, he pointed to the "deeply troubling" trend of relationships driven by domination and control dynamics that, he said, often escalate into violence.

"Tragically, this has been reflected in the growing number of femicide cases," he noted.

His comments come amid a series of high-profile femicides in Italy, including the recent killing of a 14-year-old girl by her boyfriend an incident that has captured national headlines.

The pontiff further warned of the isolating effects of social media, saying it can pull individuals into a "vortex of self-centeredness," leaving many "increasingly alone" despite being constantly connected.

"Always online, yet unable to truly connect. Surrounded by crowds, yet wandering lost and alone," Pope Leo remarked, reflecting on the paradox of modern digital life.

Since ascending to the papacy, Leo has repeatedly extended offers to mediate in global conflicts. Just this past week, he held his first phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

From his initial address on May 8 from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to recent public remarks, the pope has consistently emphasized the importance of reconciliation and unity calling for bridges to be built between individuals and nations alike.

Pentecost, the occasion for his message, marks the close of the Easter season and celebrates the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and early followers of Jesus.