Pope greets Asian Pilgrims in First General Audience: “God’s Word Will Bear Fruit in Every Heart”

In a warm and heartfelt encounter, Pope Leo XIV welcomed thousands of faithful from around the world—including pilgrims from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian nations—during his first General Audience held in the Paul VI Hall this Wednesday.

Amid the cheers and prayerful silence of those present, the Holy Father resumed the Jubilee catechesis series Pope Francis began under the theme “Jesus Christ, Our Hope.” 

His reflection centered on the Parable of the Sower (Mt 13:3a)—a timeless image of how God’s Word is generously offered to all.

“Every Gospel word is a seed sown into the soil of our lives,” Pope Leo said. “God doesn’t wait for perfect soil—He scatters His Word freely, lovingly, and generously, even in our most fragile moments.”

The pope reminded those gathered that Jesus’ parables, though drawn from simple daily life, invite us to search for deeper truths. 

“The parable throws a word in front of us that challenges us. It’s not about appearances; it’s about where our heart lies when the Word reaches us.”

In a touching analogy, Leo described God as a “wasteful” sower—one who doesn’t discriminate where the seed falls. Even paths, rocks, and thorns receive the same Word. “God is hopeful. He never gives up. He knows that sooner or later, the seed will bear fruit. That is hope—rooted in His mercy.”

Drawing from Vincent van Gogh’s painting The Sower at Sunset, the pope noted that the dominant image is not the sower, but the sun—perhaps, he said, to remind us that God moves history, even when unseen.

“If we don’t feel like good soil yet,” he encouraged, “let us not be discouraged—let us ask God to till our hearts, so we may welcome His Word more deeply.”

During his multilingual greetings, Leo offered a special welcome to pilgrims from across Asia, including members of Couples for Christ, several women religious congregations, youth volunteers from Saint Cassian’s Centre, and diocesan delegations from multiple countries. 

He expressed his prayerful hopes that the Jubilee of Hope would be for them a time of grace, renewal, and joy.

Before concluding, Leo made a poignant appeal for peace in Gaza:

“The situation in Gaza is increasingly painful. I renew my plea to allow dignified humanitarian aid and to end the violence. Children, the elderly, and the sick are paying the highest price. Let us not grow indifferent to their suffering.”

The Audience ended with the faithful joining in the Pater Noster and receiving the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing, carrying home the message that God’s Word is never wasted and that every heart—no matter how broken—can become fertile ground for new hope.