As the Jubilee Year comes to an end, Pope Leo XIV shares a powerful message with the faithful. He emphasizes that hope remains a central theme that shapes the Church’s path forward. “The Jubilee is drawing to a close,” he notes, but the hope it instills continues. We are encouraged to live as “pilgrims of hope.”
In his last Saturday audience of the Holy Year, Pope Leo XIV connects this message to the upcoming celebration of Christmas, highlighting that Christian hope is about closeness to God, found in Jesus Christ. Without Him, the idea that “the Lord is near” could seem intimidating, but through Jesus, it transforms into a promise of mercy. “In Him, there is no threat, but forgiveness,” the Pope points out, underlining the Incarnation as a symbol of God’s vibrant love.
Hope is not just a fleeting feeling, but a vital force that gives life. Citing Saint Paul, he says, “For in hope we were saved.” The Pope makes it clear: “Without hope, we are dead; with hope, we come into the light.” He describes hope as a divine power that fosters life, contrasting it with destructive forms of strength, like arrogance and fear. “God’s strength gives birth,” he adds, firmly stating that “to hope is to generate.”
Pope Leo XIV also urges us to pay attention to the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” He criticizes the growing inequality in our world, where resources are hoarded by a select few. He reminds us that God intended creation’s resources for everyone: “Our task is to generate, not to steal.”
Even suffering has a transformative role in faith, the Pope explains. It becomes “the suffering of childbirth,” a process that leads to new life. “History is in the hands of God and those who hope in Him,” he adds, emphasizing our need to cooperate with God’s creative work.
Pope Leo XIV draws inspiration from Mary of Nazareth, portraying her as the embodiment of hope that brings life. She showcases a figure of faith who gave “face, body, and voice to the Word of God.” He concludes with a moving reminder: “Jesus wants to be born again. We can give Him body and voice. This is the childbirth for which creation waits.” To truly hope, he says, is to envision a world aligned with God’s vision.
This message resonates with many today, especially in times of uncertainty. A recent survey found that 78% of people feel more hopeful during the holiday season, believing that acts of kindness can lead to positive change. In a world filled with challenges, the Pope’s call to embrace hope and act compassionately stands as a beacon for many seeking light amidst darkness.
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