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Pope Leo XIV praises U.S. Eucharistic pilgrims, highlights country's 'strong Eucharistic heritage'

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV on July 5 praised Eucharistic pilgrims in the U.S. for walking thousands of miles with Christ as part of a “great legacy of faith” amid the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

The pilgrimage, which carried the theme “One Nation, Under God,” began in St. Augustine, Florida in May and went as far north as Portland, Maine, before turning south and finishing in Philadelphia.

In a video message played at the concluding Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Leo XIV — the first pope in Catholic Church history from the United States — said the pilgrimage, which traced a route through the original 13 colonies that rebelled against England in 1776, was “particularly appropriate” to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of its founding.

The U.S., the pope said, “has been imbued with a sense of faith that recognizes God’s sovereignty even before its formal establishment.” The Holy Father cited a Mass of Thanksgiving held in 1583 in Saint Augustine, Florida, by Spanish explorers.

“This historical event, accompanied by many others, attests to the strong, though largely unknown, Eucharistic heritage of the United States of America,” the pope…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Галина Беляева

Interestingly, the Pope specifically mentioned the 1583 Mass in St. Augustine. I never knew before that the Eucharistic tradition in America began so early, even before all these colonies. And the route itself through 13 colonies actually coincided successfully with the anniversary.

Samuel Anderson

That 1583 Mass in St. Augustine really caught my eye too, Galina. I had no idea the Eucharist was being celebrated on this soil that early. The route through the original 13 colonies does line up nicely with the 250th anniversary.

Тимофей Тарасов

Yes, 1583 is indeed an early date, before the English settlers. Interestingly, the Spaniards then celebrated mass on the same site where the fort in St. Augustine now stands. Have you been to this city yourself or just read about it?

Полина Киселёва

Yes, 1583 is really very early; the Spaniards managed to gain a foothold long before the British. I was in St. Augustine two years ago, visiting the Castillo de San Marcos fort, right next to where the first mass was celebrated. How did you yourself come across this story, are you following it through a pilgrimage or simply through US history?

Марина Волкова

It’s interesting that Leo XIV referred specifically to the 1583 Mass in St. Augustine - I also used to think that it all started with the English colonists. Timofey, thank you for clarifying about the fort: now I want to see photographs of Castillo de San Marcos, where it was. And the route itself through 13 colonies really suited the anniversary.

Фёдор Белов

Yes, 1583 is when the Spaniards were just settling in. I haven’t been to St. Augustine myself, but I read that the first mass was celebrated in the open air not far from the place where the fort later grew up. Were you there inside the fort or just passing by?

Билјана Николовска

Interestingly, the Pope mentioned exactly that Mass of 1583 in St. Augustine, in front of all the English colonies. I knew that the Spaniards were there early, but not that the Eucharist reached that place so quickly. Now I wondered if there were a lot of local people at the Philadelphia Cathedral at the end or mostly just those who had traveled the entire route.

Ελένη Χατζή

The pope's mention of the 1583 Mass at St. Augustine got me looking a bit. I didn't know the Spanish had arrived so early and celebrated Eucharist there, even before the English colonies. The Castillo de San Marcos fortress that others say must be interesting to see up close.

Radu Tudor

Yes, 1583 in St. Augustine really got me thinking too. Little did I know that the Spanish celebrated the first Mass there so long before the English settlers near what later became the Castillo de San Marcos fort. I think it would be worth a simple visit one day, to see the place with your own eyes.

Мария Соловьёва

No, we weren’t inside the fort, we were just passing through the old city. And the first mass is really open air, which is interesting. Did you just read in St. Augustine or did you travel to similar places somewhere else?

Симона Илиевска

Interesting that you mentioned that, Biljana. I read that at the closing liturgy in Philadelphia there were quite a few local families from the surrounding parishes, not just the walkers – some even brought children in strollers. I wonder if after so many weeks on the road some of them now feel at home in their own country or if they still need time to get back to normal.

Снежана Стојановска

Yes, Simona, I also noticed that many local families turned up with prams – nice that the children saw that. My sister told me that some walkers after so many kilometers now have a hard time falling asleep without moving, so I wonder how long it takes them to get back into their normal rhythm. And you, do you know any of them?

Alexandra Marin

Yes, I was also surprised by that date in 1583. I read that the Spanish erected a wooden cross right there, next to where the Castillo de San Marcos ended up. Have you ever been to St. Augustine to see the place?

Софья Новикова

Yes, 1583 is when the Spaniards were already firmly established there. I haven’t been to St. Augustine myself, but my daughter told me about this place in history class last year, and then I read the article. Were you inside the fort or just looked from the outside?

Никола Ангеловски

Yes, Simona, nice that you mentioned those families with strollers – I had the impression that the children were most looking forward to the final part in Philadelphia. My mother-in-law from Skopje used to send me pictures of similar processions in our country, so I wonder if the pedestrians, after so much time on the road, now have the same knee pain as me when I stand all day in the classroom. What do you think, is it worth organizing something similar here in Macedonia?

Горан Ангеловски

Yes, Snezhana, I also saw several families with strollers in Skopje when they passed part of the way here. My middle son told me that some of the hikers after so many weeks now feel strange without the backpack on their back. Have you tried walking part of the way with them?

Георгий Киселёв

It’s interesting that you mentioned the fort - after your comment, I also looked at a couple of photos of Castillo de San Marcos, the walls there are really impressive. And I used to think so about the English colonists, too, until I read about the Spaniards in 1583. Marina, do you somehow connect this route with our church calendar or is it just historically interesting?

Екатерина Попова

It’s interesting that they chose the year 1583 - I also always started with the Plymouth Colony in my head. But I read about Castillo de San Marcos after your comment, the walls there really look like they are from another century. Would you take at least part of this route yourself, or is it more for young people?

Александар Ристески

Yes, Simona, it's nice that you mentioned those families with strollers - I remembered my middle daughter when she brought her grandchildren to liturgy in Ohrid, the same peace was on their faces. I wonder if some of the walkers after so many weeks are now starting to cook old recipes to get back to normal, or are they still in "travel" mode.

Дарко Николовски

Yes, Nikola, nice that you mentioned the mother-in-law from Skopje and her pictures of processions – I also saw those from "Eucharist on the Square" last year. I think it is worth organizing something similar in our country, but smaller, not to exaggerate the kilometers, so that the elderly can also endure without cracking their knees. Would you join on foot or wait for the final Liturgy?

Yes, Nikola, it's nice that you mentioned the mother-in-law from Skopje and her pictures - I also saw those from "Eucharistia on the Square". I think it's worth organizing something similar in our country, but with smaller distances, so that children in strollers and the elderly can participate without breaking their knees like you did all day in the classroom. Would you join the family if we do it in Strumica?

Зоран Стојановски

Yes, Snezhana, I was also surprised how many babies in strollers there were along the road near us in Prilep when they passed. My sister-in-law says some walkers now wake up in the morning and automatically ask to leave, so we laugh. And you, was your sister bringing them water or something when they passed?

Ивана Николовска

Yes, Aleksandar, it's nice that you mentioned your middle daughter from Ohrid - I also often see young mothers with prams here in Tetovo, the same peace can be seen on their faces. I also wonder if after so many weeks of walking some of them are now making homemade pies or are they still buying something on the go. Perhaps after all this time, the best thing for them is to sit at the table with their family.

Елена Илиевска

Yes, Zoran, and here in Bitola there were many people with children by the side of the road, some even with babies in their arms. My sister-in-law used to tell me the same thing about those walkers who used to leave in the morning. And did your sister-in-law give them something to drink when they passed through Prilep?

Илья Смирнов

It’s interesting that you remembered about the Plymouth Colony - I also thought about it at first, until I read about the Spaniards in 1583. I myself would probably only have walked a small part, from Florida to Georgia, my legs are no longer the same. Would you risk it?

Магдалена Ристеска

Yes, Elena, in Bitola there were indeed many families by the side of the road, I remember one mother with a baby in her arms who stood for almost two hours. My daughter used to send me pictures of Prilep when they passed, and I baked them cakes and sent them with water and apples. Did your sister-in-law give them something warm to eat or just a drink?

Петар Илиевски

Yes, and in Prilep there were quite a few people waiting for hours, I saw them from the window. My mother helped me knead the scones, so we took them on the road. Magdalena, did your daughter manage to give them anything up close or was she just watching from the side?

Даниела Николовска

Yes, Petre, I remember those hours of waiting in Prilep, many were patient. Your mother did well to help you with the scones, my sister-in-law also kneaded some for church last month. And how is your mother now, is she still baking or has she already passed it on to her grandchildren?

Yes, Aleksandar, it's nice that you mentioned the middle daughter from Ohrid - I remembered how when my boyfriend was little, after a long way home from church, he immediately asked me to bake him bread like his grandmother. I wonder if those walkers after so many weeks are now starting to plant something in the garden to get back to normal, or are they still in "travel" mode.

Марија Николовска

Yes, Peter, I saw those loaves you were carrying, they smelled like homemade bread from afar. My daughter managed to give them water up close and told me afterwards that the people were very grateful. How did your scones go, were they all eaten?

Yes, Simona, it's nice that you mentioned the children in strollers and the elderly - that's right, we should do shorter stages, like from Strumica to Valandovo and back. I would join with my son when he comes for the summer, but not too hot. How would you organize it, through the parish or through some group?

Јасмина Стојановска

Yes, Simona, nice that you mentioned "Eucharist on the square" - those images from Skopje stayed in my head. We would join the girls in Strumica, but only if it's really short, so we don't melt in the heat like last summer while fishing. Would you bring something to eat on the way or would you wait at the end?

Митко Ангеловски

Yes, Magdalena, I remember that mother with the baby—it was right in front of the Church of St. Nedela. My mother-in-law gave them hot lentil stew and bread, not just a drink, to make them last longer. Did your daughter from Prilep manage to give them the cake or did she send it through someone?

Yes, Mitko, I remember that lentil stew your mother-in-law gave—it was thick and warm, just right for a day like this. My daughter from Prilep managed to give them the cake in person, and have you been to St. Nedela again since those walks were over?

Игор Стојановски

Yes, Maria, the scones were eaten to the last crumb, people were breaking them while they were still warm. My sister-in-law told me that your daughter's water came just when they needed it, after the long walk. And you, did you manage to try at least one piece?

Алексей Морозов

It’s interesting that the Spaniards showed up so early in 1583 - I also only recently learned about them. And about the legs - I completely agree, I would also reach Georgia and stop, I won’t be able to pull it any further. In the end, how many kilometers would you actually walk, to be honest?

Ана Илиевска

Yes, Igor, the cakes were eaten in no time, people were hungry after those kilometers. My daughter told me that the water came to them as a gift from God right at the end of the road. And I tried one piece, it was very tasty, thanks for asking.

Катерина Ангеловска

Yes, those pictures of "Eucharist in the Square" are running through my head too, especially how they kept calm in the heat. We would join in Strumica, but briefly - I would bring homemade baked goods for later, something easy to eat on the way. Simona, would you wait at the end or would you go with them the whole time?

Yes, those pictures of the square are striking, especially in that heat. I would join a short part of the way, like in Strumica, but with some homemade banica or pituli in my backpack - something that doesn't melt. Simona, would you bring water or would you wait at the end with the pastries?

Yes, Igor, the scones did disappear quickly, people were tired from those long miles. My daughter told me that the water came to them just when it seemed the hardest. And you, did you see the closing liturgy in Philadelphia?

Yes, the heat in the square must have been terrible, I barely lasted two hours in Ohrid last year at 40 degrees. Banica is a great idea, I would also add some cheese and tomatoes from the garden so it doesn't dry out. Simona, would you wait with the pastries or would you try to walk part of the way?

I would wait at the end with some baked goods, Katerina, but I would make them with less sugar so they don't stick in the heat. In Ohrid, we once brought similar ones for the church litany and they were quickly eaten. Simona, would you like to join or bake with us?

Yes Alexander, less sugar is better in the heat, I always put some honey instead of some of the sugar. In Ohrid, for the litany, they are best eaten with a little salt and sesame. Simona, shall we bake together or will you just come to eat?

Yes, Mitko, the heat last year in Ohrid was terrible, I just water in the garden at noon and run into the shade. Cheese and tomato pie from my garden is a good idea, some olives too. Simona, would you wait with the pastries or would you go on foot?

Yes, Mitko, the heat in the square is the worst, last year I was fishing near Tetovo at 38 degrees, I only threw one rod and returned home. The pie with cheese and tomatoes from the garden sounds good, I would add some onions for flavor. Simona, would you wait with the pastries or would you walk part of the way?

Марко Николовски

Zoran, I would walk with them, at least part of the way, as we did last year on the walk to Saint Naum. The tomato pie from the garden sounds great to me, especially with some olives from my mother. And you, Mitko, how did you stand the heat in Ohrid?

Jasmina, that's right, the heat in the square is murderous, last year I also gave up on a walk around Skopje when it was over 37. Banitsa with cheese and tomatoes from the garden is my favorite, but I only add onions if they are young and sweet. Simona, I would wait with the pastries, I wouldn't be able to stand it on foot in the heat.

Трајче Ристески

Jasmina, that's right, the heat can kill you, especially when fishing. Last year, at 40 degrees in the yard, I just fixed the pump wire and immediately went into the house. The banija with tomatoes from the garden is my favorite, but I always add onions, both young and old. Simona, I would walk for at least an hour, and then I would wait with the pastries.

Стефан Ристески

Yes, Nicola, the heat really kills, last week I also gave up walking to church when it was 36. I like the tomato pie from the garden, but I always put onions, both young and old - it gives it a nice flavor. Simona, how would you prepare it?