Pope Francis celebrates a Mass where he bestowed the Pallium, a woolen shawl symbolizing their bond to the pope, to new Metropolitan Archbishops, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has exhorted the faithful to avoid being smug or "lukewarm" Christians.
Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday to mark the feast day of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Rome's patron saints. The pope encouraged humility among the faithful.
Francis said "whenever we consider ourselves smarter or better than others. That is the beginning of the end."
He told faithful to avoid becoming "lukewarm Christians living by half measures."
In a June 29 tradition, Francis blessed white, wool stoles destined for churchmen who were named as metropolitan archbishops in the past year.
He also that the presence of a delegation of Orthodox prelates at the ceremony "reminds us that we can spare no effort also in the journey toward full unity among believers."
Pope Francis holds his pastoral staff as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Pope Francis meets prelates as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Prelates follow a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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A Swiss Guard stands attention as Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Pope Francis holds up the book of Gospels as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Pope Francis holds the book of Gospels as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Pope Francis celebrates Mass with blessing of the palliums, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis holds the book of Gospels as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press