Pope Francis, leading the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas, delivered a strong message of hope and transformation during his Christmas Eve Mass on Tuesday. Celebrating the 12th Christmas of his papacy, Francis underscored that Jesus’ story of birth – as the son of a poor carpenter – has to make people believe in themselves as well, thus making them change the course of things in the world.
Speaking in his sermon at the solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis addressed the virtue of hope, which is also the theme for the upcoming 2025 Catholic Holy Year. He described hope as a powerful summons that encourages individuals to break free from complacency and confront the injustices of the world.
He exhorted the faithful to find the courage to effect positive changes, saying that “hope calls us. to be upset with things that are wrong and to find the courage to change them.”
The Holy Year, which the Vatican hopes will attract 32 million tourists to Rome, also marked the opening of the “Holy Door” at St. Peter’s-an event symbolizing spiritual renewal. This Jubilee, running through January 6, 2026, is a time for peace, forgiveness, and reflection. Pilgrims who walk through the Holy Door will be able to receive special indulgences, a remission of sins that is traditionally associated with these rare events, which typically occur every 25 years.
Importance Of Spiritual And Social Renewal
Pope Francis further underlined the call for social and economic change during the Jubilee. He challenged developed nations to take this chance to lessen the burden of debt of poorer nations, a call made by the late Pope John Paul II in the 2000 Jubilee year. This campaign to cancel debt for low-income nations ended up canceling $130 billion of debt between 2000 and 2015.
“The Jubilee calls us to spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world,” Pope Francis declared. “A time of jubilee for the poorer countries burdened beneath unfair debts; a time of jubilee for all those who are in bondage to forms of slavery old and new.”
Hope For The Future
While the Vatican estimates up to 100,000 pilgrims will pass through the Holy Door each day in the coming year, Pope Francis’ message was not only about the physical journey to Rome but also about a collective spiritual journey toward a better, more just world. The Mass was attended by around 6,000 people inside St. Peter’s Basilica, with another 25,000 watching the event on screens in St. Peter’s Square.
Despite having a cold, Pope Francis was healthy and upbeat; however, his voice was a little hoarse. At the end of Mass, he reminded faithful people that hope is not only a feeling but an appeal to act, telling them to be courageous in the face of challenges and not to give up easily.
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