Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Sunday warned that violence, division and deception are steering humanity away from truth, urging Christians to return to Jesus as the world’s true path.
Preaching at Mass for the 65th Pontificio Collegio Filippino Day, Tagle said societies increasingly normalize war, killing and destruction, treating death not as tragedy but as victory.
“So many are dying and being killed. Is that where our world is headed?” Tagle lamented. “We’re winning because we killed more. Christians should be concerned.”
The pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization said modern life bombards people with conflicting directions through social media, advertising and worldly pressures, often distorting moral judgment and obscuring authentic faith.
“Before we try different paths, let’s ask: is this the path I choose Jesus?” Tagle said, warning that deception can distort people’s understanding.
Echoing St. Peter, Tagle urged believers to return to Jesus as the cornerstone and become “living stones” building communities grounded in peace, unity and faith.
“Our nation will not be formed as a living temple unless we return to him,” Tagle said.
More than 50 priests concelebrated the Mass at the PCF Chapel, joined by over 100 Filipinos from communities across Rome.
Among those attending were Msgr. Pierpaolo Felicolo, director of Fondazione Migrantes, and Fr. Roden Ayag, chaplain of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Rome.
Also present were Domingo Nolasco, Philippine ambassador to Italy, and officials from the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See.
The annual May celebration honors the college’s Filipino supporters in Italy, offering migrants and faithful a chance to reconnect with their spiritual home.
After Mass, devotees carried the statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in procession, followed by cultural performances and shared Filipino food, transforming the grounds into a vibrant celebration of faith, gratitude and community.
