VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When Pope Leo XIV gave newly appointed metropolitan archbishops their pallium on the June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, he told them it symbolizes their responsibility to care for their people and to promote unity.
Kneeling before the Holy Father at the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez was among the 54 archbishops from around the world who received a pallium, a circular woolen band worn around the shoulders over Mass vestments that marks their position as a metropolitan archbishop.
Appointed Archbishop of Galveston-Houston in January 2025, Archbishop Vásquez joined Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza and Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who each also received their palliums in 2005 and 2006, respectively, after the diocese was named an Archdiocese in 2004.
In his homily, Pope Leo told Archbishop Vásquez, who was joined by seven other U.S. archbishops at the Mass, “Dear brothers, this sign of the pastoral responsibility entrusted to you also expresses your communion with the Bishop of Rome, so that in the unity of the Catholic faith, each of you may build up that communion in your local churches,” he said in his homily during Mass.
He urged them to “learn to experience communion in this way — as unity within diversity — so that the various gifts, united in the one confession of faith, may advance the preaching of the Gospel.”

The statue of St. Peter is adorned with papal vestments for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul as bishops and cardinals attend Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV incenses a statue of Mary and the child Jesus at the start of Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV presided over Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

The statue of St. Peter is adorned with papal vestments for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul as bishops and cardinals attend Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Archbishops pray before the remains of St. John XXIII in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025 for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV gives his homily during Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. The pope wore red vestments to recall the martyrdom of the two saints. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

The statue of St. Peter is adorned with papal vestments for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul as bishops and cardinals attend Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV gives his homily during Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. The pope wore red vestments to recall the martyrdom of the two saints. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Deacons carry palliums from the crypt above the tomb of St. Peter to be blessed by Pope Leo XIV during Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV blesses palliums to be given to metropolitan archbishops appointed over the last year during the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Archbishops prepare for Mass with Pope Leo XIV for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV presents the pallium to Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pallium symbolizes the archbishop’s authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston exchange the sign of peace after receiving the pallium during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pallium symbolizes the archbishop’s authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston exchange the sign of peace after receiving the pallium during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pallium symbolizes the archbishop’s authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston walks back to his seat after receiving the pallium from Pope Leo XIV during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pallium symbolizes the archbishop’s authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV prays during Mass marking the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV elevates the Book of the Gospels during Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
