It’s interesting that for the first time in history, our pontiff, who has vowed to give his life in the service of others as Christ did, is American born. The motto of Pope Leo XIV gives us time to reflect on what keeps us held together as Catholics in this country.

The motto of the United States is e pluribus, unum, which translates to “out of many, one.” It honors the diversity of cultural and societal practices and norms of our 50 states, but we are all one nation. That is, “One nation, under God.” Pope Leo’s motto is in illo Uno, unum, or “in the One, [we are] one.”

It is easy to forget that our unity as God’s sons and daughters is the foundation of all human flourishing, but God is the root of all that stands the test of time and human frailty. As Christ said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26).

As Catholics first, and then as Americans, we are called to partake in our civic duties and honor those who worked to create the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and beyond. We can only do this in light of our Christian faith, to inform us of what “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” truly entails for God’s children. At the core of this mission is to share the truth and glory of the Gospel with our neighbors and fellow citizens.

I wish you all a very happy Independence Day and the month of the Precious Blood of Jesus.

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me” (Jn 15:4).

In Christ’s love,

Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS

Bishop of Charleston