4 - Chief Duties of Christian Citizens - Section 4 - Pope Leo XIII

The main idea from this information is that Christians should love both their natural and heavenly country, but they should prioritize their heavenly country over the earthly one. This is because the law of God should be considered superior to the law of man. This is the chief duty of every Christian and the source of all other duties. Christians should also strive to live in the truth and practice divine charity, as this is what brings life and liberty. The Church is entrusted with preserving and guarding these principles given by Jesus Christ. To love, therefore, these two countries, both our natural and our heavenly country, and to prefer the latter to the former, lest the law of man should be deemed superior to the law of God, is the chief duty of every Christian, and the source of all other duties. Our Redeemer said of Himself, For this was I born, and for this I came into the world, and I should give testimony to the truth. —John 18.37 Likewise, I came to send fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled? —Luke 12.49 In the knowledge of this truth, which is the highest perfection of the mind, and in divine charity, which in like manner perfects the will, consists the whole life and liberty of Christians. In this truth, indeed, and in this charity, the Church preserves and guards with continual zeal and watchfulness as a noble patrimony committed to her by Jesus Christ.