Pope Leo praises San Marino as model of freedom and common good
- Pope Leo XIV praised San Marino during a one-day visit as a model of political freedom and civic responsibility.
- He said the republic’s traditions reflect Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion, and he warned against systems that put power above the human person.
- Leo cited Saints Marino and Leone as figures tied to the republic’s origins and values.
- He described San Marino, a microstate of about 35,000 people surrounded by Italy, as a place that can offer lessons in public service and social cohesion.
- Leo is the third pope to visit San Marino, after John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2011.
Pope Leo XIV visited San Marino on Saturday and praised the small republic as a model of political freedom and civic responsibility. Speaking to local authorities, he highlighted its long republican tradition and said its history offers lessons for public life.
Leo linked the country’s identity to Saints Marino and Leone, saying they helped shape a community grounded in freedom, mutual respect and communion. He said that legacy remains visible in the republic’s political system and social life.
San Marino, which is surrounded by Italy and has about 35,000 residents, has a 60-member parliament that elects two captains regent every six months to serve jointly as heads of state. Leo pointed to that power-sharing arrangement as a safeguard against the concentration of authority.
The pope also warned about violence, social fragmentation and systems that prioritize self-interest over the common good. He urged Christians to respond with forgiveness, solidarity and care for vulnerable people. According to the report, Leo is the third pope to visit San Marino.
教皇利奥称圣马力诺是自由与公共利益的典范
教皇利奥十四世星期六访问圣马力诺，并将这个小国称为政治自由和公民责任的典范。他在对当地官员讲话时强调了这个共和国悠久的共和传统，称其历史可为公共生活提供借鉴。
利奥把这个国家的身份与圣马力诺和圣莱昂内两位圣人联系起来，表示他们塑造了一个以自由、相互尊重和共融为基础的共同体。他说，这一传统至今仍体现在共和国的政治制度和社会生活中。
圣马力诺被意大利包围，人口约3.5万。其议会共有60名成员，每六个月选出两名执政官共同担任国家元首。利奥指出，这种权力分享安排有助于防止权力集中。
教皇还警告暴力、社会碎片化以及把个人利益置于公共利益之上的制度。他呼吁基督徒以宽恕、团结和关怀弱势群体作出回应。报道说，利奥是第三位访问圣马力诺的教皇。