In a recent address, Pope Francis has reiterated his appeal to Catholic priests to limit their homilies to no more than 10 minutes during Mass. He expressed concern that lengthy sermons are a contributing factor to parishioners stepping outside for a smoke break.
The Pope has previously emphasized the importance of brevity in preaching, stating that homilies should ideally last no longer than eight minutes to prevent attendees from losing focus or even falling asleep. He remarked, “Often, homilies extend to 20 or 30 minutes, causing people to go outside to smoke and then return.”
Reiterating his stance, he implored priests: “Please, do not exceed 10 minutes, ever. This is crucial. Homilies should focus on the Gospel, rather than on personal anecdotes.” He noted that preaching can lose its effectiveness and clarity when it drags on beyond the eight-minute mark.
The pope underscored that the ultimate goal of a homily is to connect the Word of God to daily life, suggesting that congregants who doze off after eight minutes are justified in their reactions.
This call for concise preaching reflects the Pope’s ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful connections within the church community.
December 6, 2024.
