News November 2025

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

The Pasch of Christ illuminates the mystery of life and allows us to look at it with hope. This is not always easy or obvious. Many lives, in every part of the world, appear laborious, painful, filled with problems and obstacles to be overcome. Yet human beings receive life as a gift: they do not ask for it, they do not choose it, they experience it in its mystery from the first to the last day. Life has its own extraordinary specificity: it is offered to us, we cannot give it to ourselves, but it must be constantly nurtured: it needs care to maintain, energize, protect and revive it.

One could say that the question about life is one of the most profound concerns of the human heart. We entered life without having done anything to decide to do so. The questions of all ages gush forth from this fact, like an overflowing river: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? What is the ultimate meaning of this journey?

Indeed, living invokes meaning, direction, hope. And hope acts as the deep-seated drive that keeps us walking in difficulty, that prevents us from giving up in the fatigue of the journey, that makes us certain that the pilgrimage of existence will lead us home. Without hope, life risks appearing to be a parenthesis between two eternal nights, a brief pause between the before and the after of our journey on earth. To hope in life means instead to anticipate the destination, to believe as certain what we still cannot see or touch, to trust and to entrust ourselves to the love of a Father who created us because he wanted us with love, and wants us to be happy.

Dear friends, there is a widespread sickness in the world: the lack of confidence in life. It is as if we have resigned ourselves to a negative fatalism, to renunciation. Life risks no longer representing a gift, but an unknown, almost a threat from which to protect ourselves so as not to end up disappointed. For this reason, the courage to live and to generate life, to bear witness that God is the quintessential “lover of life”, as the Book of Wisdom (11:26) affirms, is today a more urgent call than ever.

In the Gospel, Jesus constantly confirms his concern for healing the sick, restoring wounded bodies and spirits, and giving life back to the dead. By doing so, the incarnate Son reveals the Father: he restores dignity to sinners, grants the forgiveness of sins, and includes everyone, especially the desperate, the excluded, those who are far from his promise of salvation.

Begotten by the Father, Christ is life and has generated life without reserve, to the point of giving his own, and he invites us too to give our lives. To generate means to bring someone else to life. The universe of the living has expanded via this law, which in the symphony of creatures experiences a wonderful “crescendo” culminating in the duet of man and woman: God created them in his own image and entrusted them with the mission of generating in his image, that is, for love and in love.

From the beginning, Sacred Scripture reveals to us that life, precisely in its highest form, the human form, receives the gift of freedom and becomes a tragedy. In this way, human relationships are also marked by contradiction, even to the point of fratricide. Cain perceives his brother Abel as a rival, a threat, and in his frustration, he feels unable to love him and respect him. Here we see jealousy, envy, and bloodshed (Gen 4:1-16). God’s logic, instead, is completely different. God always stays faithful to his plan of love and life; he does not tire of supporting humanity even when, following in Cain’s footsteps, it obeys the blind instinct of violence in war, discrimination, racism, and the many forms of slavery.

To generate, then, means to trust in the God of life and to promote humanity in all its expressions: first and foremost, in the wonderful adventure of motherhood and fatherhood, even in social contexts in which families struggle to bear the burden of daily life, and are often held back in their plans and dreams. According to this same logic, to generate is to be committed to an economy based on solidarity, striving for a common good equally enjoyed by all, respecting and caring for creation, offering comfort through listening, presence, and concrete and selfless help.

Brothers and sisters, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the strength that supports us in this challenge, even when the darkness of evil obscures the heart and the mind. When life seems to have been extinguished, obstructed, the Risen Lord still passes by, until the end of time, and walks with us and for us. He is our hope.

I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Nigeria, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States of America. In a particular way, I greet the bishops and priests from England and Wales who are celebrating their fortieth, fiftieth and sixtieth anniversaries of priestly ordination. I also greet the Eparchy of Keren in Eritrea, led by Bishop Kindane Yebio as it celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. May the Lord always guide you in your witness of charity, harmony and peace. In praying that all of you may experience an increase in the virtue of hope during this Jubilee Year, I invoke upon you, and your families, the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!

Tomorrow I will go to Türkiye and then to Lebanon to visit the beloved peoples of those countries rich in history and spirituality. It will also be an opportunity to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council celebrated in Nicaea and to meet the Catholic community, our Christian brothers and sisters and those of other religions. I ask you to accompany me with your prayers.

26.11.25

Dear sisters and brothers,

In the responsorial Psalm, we have sung, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” (cf. Ps 122). Today’s liturgy invites us, therefore, to walk together in praise and joy towards the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, gentle and humble Sovereign, the One who is the beginning and end of all things. His power is love, his throne the Cross, and through the Cross his Kingdom shines forth upon the world.  “From the wood he reigns” (cf. Hymn Vexilla Regis) as Prince of Peace and King of Justice who, in his Passion, reveals to the world the immense mercy of God’s heart. This love is also the inspiration and motive for your singing.

Dear choristers and musicians, today you celebrate your jubilee and you show thanks to the Lord for granting you the gift and grace to serve him by offering your voices and talents for his glory and for the spiritual edification of your brothers and sisters (cf. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, 120).  Your task is to draw others into the praise of God and to help them to participate more fully in the liturgy through song.  Today, you fully express your “iubilum,” your exultation, which flows from hearts overflowing with the joy of grace.

Great civilizations have given us the gift of music in order to express what we carry deep in our hearts and what words cannot always convey.  Music can give expression to the whole range of feelings and emotions that arise within us from a living relationship with reality.  Singing, in particular, constitutes a natural and refined expression of the human being: mind, feelings, body and soul come together to communicate the great events of life.  As Saint Augustine reminded us: “Cantare amantis est” (cf. Sermo 336,1), that is, “singing belongs to those who love.”  Those who sing give expression to love, but also to the pain, tenderness and desire that dwell in their hearts, while at the same time, loving those to whom they address their song (cf. Enarrationes in Psalmos, 72,1).

For the people of God, song expresses invocation and praise. It is the “new song” that the Risen Christ raises to the Father, in which all the baptized participate as one body animated by the new life of the Spirit. In Christ, we become singers of grace, children of the Church who discover in the Risen One the cause of our praise. Liturgical music thus becomes a precious instrument through which we carry out our service of praise to God and express the joy of new life in Christ.

Saint Augustine exhorts us, again, to sing while we walk, like weary travellers who find in song a foretaste of the joy they will experience when they reach their destination. “Sing, but continue your journey […] progress in virtue” (Sermon 256, 3). Being part of a choir means advancing together, therefore, taking our brothers and sisters by the hand and helping them to walk with us. It means singing the praises of God together, consoling our brothers and sisters in their suffering, exhorting them when they seem to give in to fatigue and encouraging them when difficulties seem to prevail. Singing reminds us that we are a Church on a journey, an authentic synodal reality capable of sharing with everyone the vocation to praise and joy on this pilgrimage of love and hope.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch also employs moving words to express the relationship between the song of the choir and the unity of the Church: “From your unity and harmonious love, sing to Jesus Christ. And let each one become a choir, so that being harmonious of your arrangement and taking up the song of God in unison, you may with one voice sing to the Father through Jesus Christ, that he may both hear you and recognize you for your good works” (Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Ephesios, IV). In fact, the different voices of a choir harmonize with each other, giving rise to a single hymn of praise, a luminous symbol of the Church, which unites everyone in love in a single pleasing melody.

You belong to choirs that carry out their ministry primarily in liturgical settings. Yours is a true ministry that requires preparation, commitment, mutual understanding and, above all, a deep spiritual life, so that when you sing, you both pray and help everyone else to pray. This ministry requires discipline and a spirit of service, especially when preparing for a solemn liturgy or an important event in your communities. The choir is a small family of individuals united by their love of music and the service they offer. However, remember that the community is your larger family.  You are not on stage, but rather a part of that community, endeavouring to help it grow in unity by inspiring and engaging its members. As in all families, tensions or minor misunderstandings can arise. These things are normal when working together and striving to achieve a goal. We can say to some extent that the choir symbolizes of the Church, which, striving toward its goal, walks through history praising God. Even when this journey is beset by difficulties and trials and joyful moments give way to more challenging ones, singing makes the journey lighter, providing relief and consolation.

Strive, therefore, to make your choirs ever harmonious and beautiful, and a brighter image of the Church praising her Lord. Study the Magisterium carefully. The conciliar documents set out the norms for carrying out your service in the best possible way. Above all, dedicate yourselves to facilitating the participation of the people of God, without giving in to the temptation of ostentation, which prevents the entire liturgical assembly from actively participating in the singing. In this, be an eloquent sign of the Church’s prayer, expressing its love for God through the beauty of music. Take care that your spiritual life is always worthy of the service you perform, so that your ministry may authentically express the grace of the liturgy.

I place all of you under the protection of Saint Cecilia, the virgin and martyr who raised the most beautiful song of love through her life here in Rome, giving herself entirely to Christ and offering the Church a shining example of faith and love. Let us continue singing and once again make our own the invitation of today’s responsorial psalm: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

Dear brothers and sisters!

Before we raise our voices together for the Angelus prayer, I would like to greet all of you who have taken part in this Jubilee celebration, especially the choirs who have come from all over the world. Thank you for your presence! And may the Lord bless your service.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel great pain, above all for the many young men and women who have been abducted and for their distressed families. I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release. Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope.

Today, dioceses around the world are celebrating World Youth Day. I bless and spiritually embrace all those taking part in the various celebrations and initiatives. On the feast of Christ the King, I pray that every young person may discover the beauty and joy of following him, the Lord, and dedicating him or herself to his Kingdom of love, justice and peace.

My Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon is now close. In Türkiye, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be celebrated. For this reason, the Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei is being published today, commemorating this historic event.

Now let us turn to the Virgin Mary, entrusting all these intentions and our prayer for peace to her maternal intercession.

23.11.25

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

We are reflecting, in this Jubilee Year dedicated to hope, on the relationship between the Resurrection of Christ and the challenges of the contemporary world, that is, our challenges. At times, Jesus, the Living One, wants to ask us too: “Why do you weep? Who do you seek?”. Indeed, challenges cannot be faced alone and tears are a gift of life when they purify our eyes and liberate our gaze.

John the Evangelist draws to our attention a detail that we do not find in the other Gospels: weeping near the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene did not immediately recognize the risen Jesus, but thought he was the gardener. Indeed, already narrating the burial of Jesus, at sunset on Good Friday, the text was very precise: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there” (Jn 19:40-41).

Thus, in the peace of the Sabbath and the beauty of a garden, the dramatic struggle between darkness and light that began with the betrayal, arrest, abandonment, condemnation, humiliation and killing of the Son, who “having loved his own who were in the world … loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1), comes to a close. Cultivating and keeping the garden is the original task (cf. Gen 2:15) that Jesus brought to fulfilment. His last words on the cross – “It is finished” (Jn 19:30) – invite each of us to rediscover the same task, our task. For this reason, “he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (v. 30).

Dear brothers and sisters, Mary Magdalene was not entirely mistaken then, believing she had encountered the gardener! Indeed, she had to hear her own name again and understand her task from the new Man, the one who in another text of John says: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5). Pope Francis, with the Encyclical Laudato si’, showed us the extreme need for a contemplative gaze: if he is not the custodian of the garden, the human being becomes its destroyer. Christian hope therefore responds to the challenges to which all humanity is exposed today by dwelling in the garden where the Crucified One was laid as a seed, to rise again and bear much fruit.

Paradise is not lost, but found again. In this way, the death and resurrection of Jesus are the foundation of a spirituality of integral ecology, outside of which the words of faith have no hold on reality and the words of science remain outside the heart. “Ecological culture cannot be reduced to a series of urgent and partial responses to the immediate problems of pollution, environmental decay and the depletion of natural resources. There needs to be a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance” (Laudato si’, 111).

For this reason, we speak of an ecological conversion, which Christians cannot separate from the reversal of course that Jesus asks of them. A sign of this is Mary’s turning around on that Easter morning: only by conversion after conversion do we pass through that vale of tears to the new Jerusalem. This passage, which begins in the heart and is spiritual, changes history, engages us publicly, and activates solidarity that now protects people and creatures from the longings of wolves, in the name and power of the Lamb-Shepherd.

In this way, the sons and daughters of the Church can now meet millions of young people and other men and women of good will who have heard the cry of the poor and the earth, letting it touch their hearts. There are also many people who desire, through a more direct relationship with creation, a new harmony that will lead them beyond so many divisions. On the other hand, still “the heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Ps 18:1-4).

May the Spirit give us the ability to listen to the voice of those who have no voice. We will see, then, what the eyes do not yet see: that garden, or Paradise, which we will only reach by welcoming and fulfilling our own task.

I am happy to welcome this morning the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, Ireland, Senegal, Uganda, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and the United States of America. A special greeting to the students and faculty from Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Dallas, Texas. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Hope may be for you and your families a time of grace and spiritual renewal, I invoke upon all of you the joy and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lastly, I welcome with affection the young people, the sick and the newlyweds. Next Sunday, the last of ordinary time, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe. Dear young people, place Jesus at the centre of your lives. May Christ, who made the Cross a royal throne, teach you, dear sick people, to understand the redemptive value of suffering lived in union with him. I invite you, dear newlyweds, to place Jesus at the centre of your matrimonial journey.

My blessing to you all!

19.11.25

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

As the liturgical year draws to a close, today’s Gospel (Lk 21:5-19) invites us to reflect on the travails of history and the end times.  Looking at these events and knowing our hearts, Jesus invites us not to be overcome by fear: “When you hear of wars and insurrections,” he says, “do not be terrified” (v. 9).

His appeal is very timely because unfortunately we receive daily news about conflicts, disasters and persecutions that torment millions of men and women.  However, in the face of these afflictions, and in the face of the indifference that seeks to ignore them, Jesus’ words proclaim that the attack of evil cannot destroy the hope of those who trust in him.  The darker the hour, the more faith shines like the sun.

Twice, in fact, Christ affirms that “because of my name” many will suffer violence and betrayal (Lk 21:12, 17), but precisely then they will have the opportunity to bear witness (cf.  v. 13).  We are called to follow the example of the Master, who revealed the immensity of his love on the cross.  This encouragement concerns us all.  Indeed, the persecution of Christians does not only happen through mistreatment and weapons, but also with words, that is, through lies and ideological manipulation.  Especially when we are oppressed by these evils, both physical and moral, we are called to bear witness to the truth that saves the world; to the justice that redeems peoples from oppression; to the hope that shows everyone the way to peace.

Jesus’ words, in a prophetic way, attest to the fact that the disasters and sorrows of history will come to an end. At the same time, the joy of those who recognize him as Saviour, is destined to last forever.  “By your endurance you will gain your souls” (Lk 21:19): this promise of the Lord gives us the strength to resist the threatening events of history and every offense.  We do not remain powerless in the face of suffering, because he himself gives us “words and a wisdom” (v. 15) always to do the good with a fervent heart.

Dear friends, throughout the history of the Church, it is above all the martyrs who remind us that God’s grace is capable of transforming even violence into a sign of redemption.  Therefore, joining with our brothers and sisters who suffer for the name of Jesus, let us confidently seek the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians.  In every trial and difficulty, may the Blessed Virgin console and sustain us.

Dear brothers and sisters!

As I just mentioned in my reflection on the Gospel, Christians today are still suffering from discrimination and persecution in various parts of the world.  In particular, I think of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan and other countries from which we often hear news of attacks on communities and places of worship.  God is a merciful Father, and he desires peace among all his children!  My prayers are with the families in Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where in recent days there has been a massacre of civilians, with at least twenty victims of a terrorist attack.  Let us pray that all violence will cease, and that believers will work together for the common good.

I follow with sorrow the news of the attacks that continue to strike numerous Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.  They cause casualties and injuries – children among them – and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, leaving families homeless as the cold weather sets in.  I assure those severely affected of my closeness.  We must not become accustomed to war and destruction!  Let us pray together for a just and lasting peace in war-torn Ukraine.

I would also like to offer my prayers for the victims of the serious road accident that occurred last Wednesday in southern Peru.  May the Lord welcome the deceased, sustain the injured and comfort the bereaved families.

Yesterday, in Bari, Carmelo De Palma was beatified.  He was a diocesan priest who died in 1961 after a life generously spent in the ministry of Confession and spiritual accompaniment.  May his witness inspire priests to give themselves unreservedly to the service of God’s holy people.

Today we celebrate the World Day of the Poor.  I thank all those in dioceses and parishes who have organized initiatives of solidarity with the most disadvantaged.  This is an opportune day on which to highlight once again the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, “I have loved you”, on love for the poor, a document that Pope Francis was preparing in the last months of his life and which I completed with great joy.

On this day, we also remember all those who have died in road accidents, too often caused by irresponsible behaviour.  Let each of us examine our conscience on this matter.

I also join the Church in Italy, which today promotes the “Day of prayer for the victims and survivors of abuse”, so that a culture of respect may grow and ensure the protection of the dignity of every person, especially minors and the most vulnerable.

I thank you all, and wish you a happy Sunday!

16.11.25 a

Dear brothers and sisters,

The last Sundays of the liturgical year invite us to look to the ultimate end of history.  In the first reading, the prophet Malachi sees the arrival of the “day of the Lord” as the beginning of a new era. It is described as God’s time, when, like a dawn that brings forth the sun of righteousness, the hopes of the poor and the humble will receive a final and definitive answer from the Lord, and the work of the wicked and their injustice, especially against the defenceless and the poor, will be eradicated and burned like straw.

This sun of righteousness that rises, as we know, is Jesus himself. The day of the Lord, in fact, is not only the last day of history; it is the Kingdom that draws near to every person in the Son of God who comes.  In the Gospel, using the apocalyptic language typical of his time, Jesus announces and inaugurates this Kingdom.  He himself is the power of God, who is present and active in the dramatic events of history.  These events should not frighten the disciples, but enable them to persevere in their witness, for they know that Jesus’ promise is always alive and faithful: “Not a hair of your head will perish” (Lk 21:18).

Brothers and sisters, we are anchored in this hope, despite the sometimes unfortunate events of life. Even today, “the Church, ‘like a stranger in a foreign land, presses forward amid the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God,’ announcing the cross and death of the Lord until he comes” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 8).  And when all human hope seems to be extinguished, this certainty, more constant than heaven and earth, becomes even stronger, for the Lord will not let even a hair of our head perish.

In the midst of persecution, suffering, struggles, and oppression in our personal lives and in society, God does not abandon us.  He reveals himself as the One who takes our side. The Scriptures are woven with this golden thread that recounts the story of God, who is always on the side of the little ones, orphans, strangers and widows (cf. Deut 10:17-19). And in Jesus, his Son, God’s closeness reaches the summit of love.  For this reason, the presence and word of Christ become gladness and jubilee for the poorest, since he came to proclaim the good news to the poor and to preach the year of the Lord’s favor (cf. Lk 4:18-19).

We too are participating in this year of grace in a special way today, as we celebrate, on this World Day, the Jubilee of the Poor.  While the entire Church rejoices and exults, it is especially to you, dear brothers and sisters, that I want to proclaim the irrevocable words of the Lord Jesus himself: “Dilexi te, I have loved you” (Rev 3:9).  Yes, before our smallness and poverty, God looks at us like no one else and loves us with eternal love.  And his Church, even today, perhaps especially in our time, still wounded by old and new forms of poverty, hopes to be “mother of the poor, a place of welcome and justice” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, 39).

So many forms of poverty oppress our world!  First and foremost are material forms of poverty, but there are also many moral and spiritual situations of poverty, which often affect young people in a particular way. The tragedy that cuts across them all is loneliness.  It challenges us to look at poverty in an integral way, because while it is certainly necessary at times to respond to urgent needs, we also must develop a culture of attention, precisely in order to break down the walls of loneliness. Let us, then, be attentive to others, to each person, wherever we are, wherever we live, transmitting this attitude within our families, living it out in the workplace and in academic environments, in different communities, in the digital world, everywhere, reaching out to the marginalized and becoming witnesses of God’s tenderness.

Today, scenarios of war, unfortunately present in various regions of the world, seem especially to confirm that we are in a state of helplessness. Yet the globalization of helplessness arises from a lie, from believing that history has always been this way and cannot change. The Gospel, on the other hand, reminds us that it is precisely in the upheavals of history that the Lord comes to save us.  And today, as a Christian community, together with the poor, we must become a living sign of this salvation.

Poverty challenges Christians, but it also challenges all those who have positions of responsibility in society. I urge Heads of State and the leaders of nations to listen to the cry of the poorest.  There can be no peace without justice, and the poor remind us of this in many ways, through migration as well as through their cries, which are often stifled by the myth of well-being and progress that does not take everyone into account, and indeed forgets many individuals, leaving them to their fate.

To charity workers, to so many volunteers, and to those who seek to alleviate the conditions of the poorest, I express my gratitude, and at the same time, my encouragement to continue to be the critical conscience of society. You know well that the question of the poor leads back to the essence of our faith, for they are the very flesh of Christ and not just a sociological category (cf. Dilexi Te, 110). This is why, “the Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking. Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges” (ibid., 75).

Let us all join together in this commitment.  As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Thessalonica (cf. 2 Thess 3:6-13): while awaiting the Lord’s glorious return, we must not live a life closed in on ourselves, in a religious seclusion that isolates us from others and from history.  On the contrary, seeking the Kingdom of God implies the desire to transform human coexistence into a space of fraternity and dignity for all, without exception. There is a constant danger of living like distracted wanderers, unconcerned about the final destination and uninterested in those who share the journey with us.

In this Jubilee of the Poor, let us be inspired by the witness of the saints who served Christ in the most needy and followed him on the path of humility and self-denial.  In particular, I would like to mention Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, whose life as a “vagabond of God”, characterizes him as the patron saint of the homeless. The Virgin Mary, through her Magnificat, continues to remind us of God’s choices and has become the voice of those who have no voice.  May Mary help us embrace the Kingdom’s new way of thinking, so that in our Christian life the love of God, which welcomes, binds up wounds, forgives, consoles and heals, may always be present.

16.11.25 m

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

To believe in the death and resurrection of Christ and to live paschal spirituality imbues life with hope and encourages us to invest in goodness. In particular, it helps us to love and nurture fraternity, which is without doubt one of the great challenges for contemporary humanity, as Pope Francis saw clearly.

Fraternity stems from something deeply human. We are capable of forming relationship and, if we want, we are able to build authentic bonds between us. Without relationships, which support and enrich us from the very beginning of our life, we would not be able to survive, grow or learn. They are manifold, varied in form and depth. But it is certain that our humanity is best fulfilled when we exist and live together, when we succeed in experiencing authentic, not formal, bonds with the people around us. If we turn in on ourselves, we risk falling ill with loneliness, and even a narcissism that is concerned with others only out of self-interest. The other is then reduced to someone from whom we can take, without ever being truly willing to give, to offer ourselves.

We are well aware that even today fraternity cannot be taken for granted, it is not immediate. Many conflicts, many wars all over the world, social tensions and feelings of hatred would seem to prove the opposite. However, fraternity is not a beautiful but impossible dream; it is not the desire of a deluded few. But to overcome the shadows that threaten it, we need to go to the source, and above all to draw light and strength from Him who alone frees us from the poison of enmity.

The word “fraternity” derives from a very ancient root, which means to care for, to have at heart, to support and sustain. Applied to every human person, it becomes an appeal, an invitation. Often, we think that the role of a brother, a sister, refers to kinship, to being related, to being part of the same family. In truth, we know well how disagreement, division and sometimes hatred can devastate even relationships between relatives, not only between strangers.

This shows the need, more urgent today than ever, to reflect on the greeting with which Saint Francis of Assisi addressed everyone, regardless of their geographical, cultural, religious and doctrinal origins: omnes fratres was the inclusive way in which the Saint placed all human beings on the same level, precisely because he recognized them in their common destiny of dignity, dialogue, welcome and salvation. Pope Francis reproposed this approach of the Poverello of Assisi, emphasizing its relevance after eight hundred years, in the Encyclical Fratelli tutti.

That “tutti”, everyone, which meant for Saint Francis the welcoming sign of a universal fraternity, expresses an essential feature of Christianity, which ever since the beginning has been the proclamation of the Good News destined for the salvation of all, never in an exclusive or private form. This fraternity is based on Jesus’ commandment, which is new insofar as He accomplished it Himself, the superabundant fulfilment of the will of the Father: thanks to Him, who loved us and gave Himself for us, we can in turn love one another and give our lives for others, as children of the one Father and true brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

Jesus loved us up to the very end, says the Gospel of John (cf. 13:1). As the passion draws near, the Master knows well that his historical time is coming to an end. He fears what is about to happen; He experiences the most terrible torment and abandonment. His Resurrection, on the third day, is the beginning of a new history. And the disciples become fully brothers and sisters, after so much time of life spent together, not only when they live through the pain of the death of Jesus, but above all, when they recognize Him as the Risen One, receive the gift of the Spirit and become witnesses to Him.

Brothers and sisters support each other in hardship, they do not turn their back on those who are in need, and they weep and rejoice together in the active pursuit of unity, trust and mutual reliance. The dynamic is that which Jesus Himself gives to us: “Love one another as I have loved you” (cf. Jn 15:12). The fraternity given by Christ, who died and rose again, frees us from the negative logic of selfishness, division and arrogance, and restores to us our original vocation, in the name of a love and a hope that are renewed every day. The Risen One has shown us the way to journey with Him, to feel and to be “brothers and sisters all”.

I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s audience, in particular the groups from England, Ireland, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Canada and the United States of America. 

In this the month dedicated to the holy souls, our brothers and sisters who have gone before us in faith, hope and love, let us pray for the grace to be strengthened in our resolve to live well Jesus’ commandment of love, so that we may enjoy life everlasting with our Lord and with all the holy ones.  May the peace and joy of Christ be with you all!  God bless you.

Last Saturday in Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala, Mother Eliswa Vakayil, who lived in the nineteenth century, foundress of the Third Order of the Teresian Discalced Carmelites, was beatified. Her courageous commitment to the emancipation of the poorest girls is a source of inspiration for those who work, in the Church and in society, for the dignity of women.

Lastly, I greet the young people, the sick and the newlyweds. Today's liturgy commemorates Bishop St Josaphat, martyred because of his tireless zeal for the unity of the Church. I encourage each one to be aware of the gifts of grace received, so that they may be made available to the community.

My blessing to you all!

12.11.25

Brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

On the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we contemplate the mystery of unity and communion with the Church of Rome, called to be the mother who cares for the journey of faith of Christians throughout the world.

The Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of Peter’s successor, as we know, is not only a work of extraordinary historical, artistic and religious value, but it also represents the driving force of the faith entrusted to and preserved by the Apostles, and its transmission throughout history.  The greatness of this mystery also shines forth in the artistic splendor of the building, which in its central nave houses the twelve large statues of the Apostles, the first followers of Christ and witnesses of the Gospel.

This points to a spiritual perspective, which helps us to go beyond the external appearance, to understand that the mystery of the Church is much more than a simple place, a physical space, a building made of stones.  In reality, as the Gospel reminds us in the episode of Jesus’ purification of the Temple in Jerusalem (cf. Jn 2:13-22), the true sanctuary of God is Christ who died and rose again.  He is the only mediator of salvation, the only Redeemer, the One who, by uniting himself with our humanity and transforming us with his love, represents the door (cf. Jn 10:9) that opens wide for us and leads us to the Father.

United with him, we too are living stones of this spiritual edifice (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5).  We are the Church of Christ, his body, his members called to spread his Gospel of mercy, consolation and peace throughout the world, through that spiritual worship that must shine forth above all in our witness of life.

Brothers and sisters, we must train our hearts to have this spiritual outlook.  So often, the frailties and mistakes of Christians, together with many clichés and prejudices, prevent us from grasping the richness of the mystery of the Church.  Her holiness, in fact, is not dependent upon our merits, but in the “gift of the Lord, never retracted,” that continues to choose “as the vessel of its presence, with a paradoxical love, the dirty hands of men” (J. Ratzinger, Introduction to Christianity, Brescia (2005), 331).

Let us walk then in the joy of being the holy People that God has chosen, and let us invoke Mary, Mother of the Church, to help us welcome Christ and accompany us with her intercession.

Dear brothers and sisters,

I express my closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been hit by a violent typhoon: I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and displaced.

Today, the Church in Italy celebrates Thanksgiving Day.  I join the Bishops in encouraging responsible care for the land, combating food waste, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Let us thank God for “our sister Mother Earth” (Saint Francis, Canticle of the Creatures) and for those who cultivate and protect her!

I express my heartfelt appreciation for all those who, at every level, are committed to building peace in the various regions affected by war.  In these last few days, we have prayed for the dead and among these, unfortunately, are many who were killed in combat and bombings, even though they were civilians, children, elderly, or sick people.  If we truly want to honour their memory, we must stop the wars and put all of our efforts into negotiations.

I wish all of you a blessed Sunday.

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, which took place in the fourth century under Pope Sylvester I.  This Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, was built at the behest of Emperor Constantine, after he granted Christians the freedom to profess their faith and practice their religion in the year 313.

Why is it that we commemorate this event to the present day?  Certainly to recall, with joy and gratitude, a historical event of great importance for the life of the Church, but this is not the only reason.  This Basilica, in fact, the “Mother of all Churches,” is much more than a monument or a historical memorial.  It is “a sign of the living Church, built with chosen and precious stones in Christ Jesus, the cornerstone (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5)” (Italian Episcopal Conference, Rite of the Blessing of the Oils and Dedication of the Church and Altar, Introduction).  As such, it reminds us that we too are “living stones here on earth… built into” a spiritual temple (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 6).  For this reason, as Saint Paul VI noted, the early Christian community soon began to apply the “name of Church, which means the assembly of the faithful, to the temple that gathers them together” (Angelus, 9 November 1969).  It is the ecclesial community, “the Church, the society of believers, [which] gives Saint John Lateran its most solid and striking external structure” (ibid.).  Therefore, as we gaze upon this building, let us reflect on what it means to be Church in light of today’s readings.

Firstly, let us consider its foundations.  Their importance is obvious and, even somewhat unsettling.  If the builders had not dug deep enough to find a solid base on which to construct the rest, the entire building would have collapsed long ago or would be at risk of doing so at any moment, which would put us in grave danger.  Fortunately, however, those who came before us laid solid foundations for our Cathedral, digging deep with great effort before raising the walls that welcome us, and this makes us feel much more at ease.

This is a cause for reflection.  As laborers in the living Church, we too must first dig deep within ourselves and around ourselves before we can build impressive structures.  We must remove any unstable material that would prevent us from reaching the solid rock of Christ (cf. Mt 7:24-27).  This is precisely what Saint Paul speaks about in the second reading when he says that “no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11).  This means constantly returning to Jesus and his Gospel and being docile to the action of the Holy Spirit.  Otherwise, we risk overloading a building with heavy structures whose foundations are too weak to support.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we diligently labor in the service of God’s Kingdom, let us be neither hasty nor superficial.  Let us dig deep, unhindered by worldly criteria, which too often demand immediate results and disregard the wisdom of waiting.  The millennial history of the Church teaches us that with God’s help, a true community of faith can only be built with humility and patience.  Such a community is capable of spreading charity, promoting mission, proclaiming, celebrating and serving the Apostolic Magisterium of which this temple is the first seat (cf. Angelus, 9 November 1969).

The scene presented to us in today’s Gospel (Lk 19:1-10) is particularly enlightening in this regard: Zacchaeus, a wealthy and powerful man, feels moved to meet Jesus.  However, he realizes that he is too short to see him and so decides to climb a tree.  This is an unusual and inappropriate gesture for someone of his rank who is accustomed to getting whatever he wants at the tax office as though it were his due.  This time, however, the road is longer and climbing the branches means that Zacchaeus recognizes his own limitations and overcomes the inhibitions of his pride.  In doing so, he is able to meet Jesus, who tells him, “I must stay at your house today” (v. 5).  That encounter marks the beginning of a new life for Zacchaeus (cf. v. 8).

When Jesus calls us to take part in God’s great project, he transforms us by skillfully shaping us according to his plans for salvation.  In recent years, the image of a “construction site” has often been used to describe our ecclesial journey.  It is a beautiful image that speaks of activity, creativity and dedication, as well as hard work and sometimes complex problems to be solved.  It captures the concrete, tangible efforts of our communities as they grow every day, sharing their charisms under the guidance of their pastors.  The Church of Rome, in particular, stands as a witness to this in the current implementation phase of the Synod.  What has matured over years of work now needs to be put to the test and evaluated “in the field.”  This implies an uphill journey, but we must not be discouraged.  Instead, we should continue with confidence in our efforts to grow together.

The construction of the majestic building in which we find ourselves has had its share of critical moments, delays and changes to the original plans.  Yet thanks to the tenacity of those who came before us, we can now gather in this wonderful place.  In Rome, a great good is growing thanks to the efforts of many.  Let us not allow fatigue to prevent us from recognizing and celebrating this good, so that we may nourish and renew our enthusiasm.  After all, it is through charity in action that the face of our Church is shaped, making it ever clearer to all that she is a “mother,” the “mother of all Churches,” or even a “mom,” as Saint John Paul II said when speaking to children on this very feast day (cf. Address for the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, 9 November 1986).

Finally, I would like to mention an essential aspect of the Cathedral’s mission: liturgy.  The liturgy is “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed... the source from which all its power flows” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10).  In it, we find the same themes we have already mentioned: we are built up as God’s temple, as his dwelling place in the Spirit and we receive strength to preach Christ in the world (cf. ibid., 2).  Therefore, care for the liturgy, especially here at the See of Peter, must be such that it can serve as an example for the whole people of God.  It must comply with the established norms, be attentive to the different sensibilities of those participating and keep with the principle of wise inculturation (cf. ibid., 37-38).  At the same time, it must remain faithful to the solemn sobriety typical of the Roman tradition, which can do so much good for the souls of those who actively participate in it (cf. ibid., 14).  Every care should be taken to ensure that the simple beauty of the rites expresses the value of worship for the harmonious growth of the whole Body of the Lord.  As Saint Augustine said, “beauty is nothing but love, and love is life” (Discourse 365, 1).  This truth is realized in an eminent way within the liturgy, and I hope that those who approach the altar of Rome’s Cathedral go away filled with the grace that the Lord wishes to flood the world (cf. Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12).

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Dear brothers and sisters, good morning, and welcome to you all!

The Pasch of Jesus is an event that does not belong to a distant past, now settled into tradition like so many other episodes in human history. The Church teaches us to make a living remembrance of the Resurrection every year on Easter Sunday and every day in the Eucharistic celebration, during which the promise of the risen Lord is most fully realized: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20).

For this reason, the Paschal Mystery is the cornerstone of Christian life, around which all other events revolve. We can say, then, without any irenicism or sentimentality, that every day is Easter. In what way?

Hour by hour, we have so many different experiences: pain, suffering, sadness, intertwined with joy, wonder, serenity. But through every situation, the human heart longs for fullness, a profound happiness. A great twentieth-century philosopher, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, born Edith Stein, who delved deeply into the mystery of the human person, reminds us of this dynamism of the constant search for fulfilment. “‘The human being”, she writes, “always longs to have being given to him anew, so that he can draw on what the moment gives him and at the same time takes away from him” (Finite and Eternal Being: An Attempt to Ascend to the Meaning of Being”, Rome 1998, 387). We are immersed in limitation, but we also strive to surpass it.

The Paschal proclamation is the most beautiful, joyful and overwhelming news that has ever resounded in all of history. It is the quintessential “Gospel”, which attests to the victory of love over sin and of life over death, and this is why it is the only thing capable of satisfying the demand for meaning that troubles our minds and our hearts. Human beings are inspired by an inner movement, striving towards a beyond that continually attracts them. No contingent reality satisfies us. We tend towards the infinite and the eternal. This contrasts with the experience of death, anticipated by suffering, loss, and failure. As Saint Francis sings, “nullu homo vivente po skampare” (“no living man can escape”) from death (cf. Canticle of the Sun).

Everything changes thanks to that morning when the women had gone to the tomb to anoint the body of the Lord, and found it empty. The question posed by the Magi who came from the East to Jerusalem: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (Mt 2:1-2), finds its definitive answer in the words of the mysterious youth dressed in white, who speaks to the women at Easter dawn: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here” (Mk 16:6).

From that morning until today, every day, Jesus will also have this title: the Living One, as He presents himself in Revelation: “I am the First and the Last, and the Living One: I died, and behold I am alive for evermore” (Rev 1:17-18). And in Him, we have the assurance of always being able to find the lodestar towards which we can direct our seemingly chaotic lives, marked by events that often appear confusing, unacceptable, incomprehensible: evil in its many forms, suffering, death, events that affect each and every one of us. Meditating on the mystery of the Resurrection, we find an answer to our thirst for meaning.

Faced with our fragile humanity, the Paschal proclamation becomes care and healing, nourishing hope in the face of the frightening challenges that life presents us with every day on a personal and global level. In the perspective of Easter, the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross, is transfigured into the Via Lucis, the Way of Light. We need to savour and meditate on the joy after the pain, to retrace in the new light all the stages that preceded the Resurrection.

Easter does not eliminate the cross, but defeats it in the miraculous duel that changed our human history. Even our time, marked by so many crosses, invokes the dawn of Paschal hope. Christ’s Resurrection is not an idea, a theory, but the Event that is the foundation of faith. He, the Risen One, through the Holy Spirit, continues to remind us of this, so that we can be His witnesses even where human history does not see light on the horizon. Paschal hope does not disappoint. To believe truly in the Pasch through our daily journey means revolutionizing our lives, being transformed in order to transform the world with the gentle and courageous power of Christian hope.

I extend a warm welcome this morning to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from England, Ireland, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States of America.  During the month of November, we pray in particular for the eternal repose of the faithful departed. May the risen Lord show them his mercy, and may the hope brought by our faith in the Resurrection keep our eyes and our hearts turned towards the joy of Heaven.  God bless you all!

Brothers and sisters, I invite you to join in my prayers for all those who are tried by armed conflicts in different parts of the world; I am thinking in particular of Myanmar and I urge the international community not to forget the Burmese people and to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance.

Lastly, I greet the young people, the sick and the newlyweds. The recent feast of the Saints suggests to me a reflection on the common vocation to holiness. We are all called to be saints. I therefore invite you to adhere more and more to Christ, following the criteria of authenticity of which the saints have given us the example.

My blessing to you all!

05.11.25

Dear brother Cardinals and Bishops,

Dear brothers and sisters!

Today we renew the beautiful custom, on the occasion of the Commemoration of all the faithful departed, of celebrating the Eucharist in memory of the Cardinals and Bishops who left us during the past year, and we offer it with great affection for the elected soul of Pope Francis, who passed after opening the Holy Door and imparting the Easter Blessing to Rome and the world. Thanks to the Jubilee, this celebration – the first for me – acquires a characteristic flavour – the flavour of Christian hope.

The Word of God we have just heard enlightens us. First and foremost, with a great biblical icon that, we might say, encapsulates the meaning of this Holy Year: the account by Luke of the disciples of Emmaus (Lk 24, 13-35). In it, we find a vivid representation of the pilgrimage of hope, which passes through the encounter with the Risen Christ. The starting point is the experience of death, and in its worst form: a violent death that kills the innocent and thus leaves us discouraged, disheartened and desperate. How many people – how many “little ones”! – even in our times suffer the trauma of this fearful death, disfigured by sin. For this death, we cannot and must not say “laudato si’”, “praise to You”, because God the Father does not want it, and he sent his Son to the world to free us from it. It is written: Christ had to endure these sufferings in order to enter into his glory (cf. Lk 24:26) and to give us eternal life. He alone can can bear upon himself and within himself this corrupt death without being corrupted by it. He alone has the words of eternal life (cf. Jn 6:68) – we confess this with trepidation here near the tomb of Saint Peter – and these words have the power to rekindle faith and hope in our hearts (cf. v. 32).

When Jesus takes the bread in his hands, which had been nailed to the cross, delivers the blessing, breaks the bread and offers it, the disciples’ eyes open, faith blossoms in their heart, and with faith, a new hope. Yes! It is no longer the hope they had before, and which they had lost. It is a new reality, a gift, a grace of the Risen One: it is paschal hope.

Just as the life of the Risen Jesus is no longer what it was before, but is entirely new, created by the Father with the power of the Spirit, so the hope of the Christian is not human hope, it is neither that of the Greeks nor that of the Jews, it is not based on the wisdom of philosophers or on the justice that comes from the law, but solely and totally on the fact that the Crucified One is risen and appeared to Simon (cf. Lk 24:34), to the women and to the other disciples. It is a hope that does not look to the earthly horizon, but beyond, to God, to that height and depth from which the Sun rose to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death (cf. Lk 1:78-79).

Then, yes, we can sing: “Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death”.[1] The love of the Crucified and Risen Christ has transfigured our death: He has turned it from an enemy into a sister, he has tamed it. And faced with it, we “may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Ts 4:13). Certainly, we mourn when a loved one leaves us. We are distraught when a human being, especially a child, a “little one”, a fragile person, is snatched away by illness or, worse, by human violence. As Christians we are called to bear with Christ the burden of these crosses. But we are not as sad as those who have no hope, because even the most tragic death cannot prevent our Lord from welcoming our soul in his arms and transforming our mortal body, even the most disfigured, in the image of his glorious body (cf. Phil 3:21).

For this reason, Christians do not call burial places “necropolises” or “cities of the dead”, but “cemeteries”, which literally means “dormitories”, places where one rests awaiting resurrection. As the psalmist prophesies, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8).

Dear friends, beloved Pope Francis and the brother Cardinals and Bishops for whom we offer the Eucharistic sacrifice lived, bore witness to and taught this new, paschal hope. The Lord called to them and made them shepherds in his Church, and with their ministry they – to use the language of the Book of Daniel – “turned many to righteousness” (cf. Dn 12:3), that is, they led them on the path of the Gospel with the wisdom that comes from Christ, who for us became wisdom, justice, sanctification and redemption (cf. 1 Cor 1:30). May their souls be washed of every stain and may they shine like stars in heaven (cf. v. 3). And may their spiritual encouragement reach us, still pilgrims on earth, in the silence of prayer: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God” (Ps 42: 6, 12).

[1] Saint Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Sun

03.11.25

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday!

In these first days of November, the resurrection of the crucified Jesus from the dead sheds light on the destiny of each one of us. For he told us: “This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (Jn 6:39). Thus, the focus of God’s concerns is clear: that no one should perish forever and that everyone should have their own place and radiate their unique beauty.

This is the mystery that we celebrated yesterday on the Solemnity of All Saints: a communion of differences that, so to speak, extends God’s life to all his daughters and sons who wish to share in it. It is the desire written in the heart of every human being, a longing for recognition, attention and joy. As Pope Benedict XVI explained, the expression “eternal life” gives a name to this insuppressible expectation: not a succession of time without end, but being so immersed in an ocean of infinite love that time, before, and after no longer exist. This fullness of life and joy in Christ is what we hope for and await with all our being (cf. Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi, 12).

Today’s Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed brings this mystery even closer to us. Indeed, each time that death seems definitively to take away a voice, a face or an entire world, interiorly we understand God’s concern that no one perish. In fact, each person is an entire world. Today, then, is a day that challenges the human memory, so precious and yet so fragile. Without the memory of Jesus – of his life, death and resurrection – the immense treasure of daily life risks being forgotten. In the mind of Jesus, however, even those whom no one remembers, or whom history seems to have erased, always remain in their infinite dignity. Jesus, the rock which the builders rejected, is now the cornerstone (cf. Acts 4:11). That is the Easter proclamation. For this reason, Christians always remember the deceased in every Eucharist, and still today ask that those dear to them be remembered in the Eucharistic Prayer. From this proclamation arises the hope that no one will perish.

May visiting the cemetery, where silence interrupts the hustle and bustle of life, invite us all to remember and to wait in hope. As we say in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Let us commemorate, therefore, the future, for we are not enclosed in the past or in sentimental tears of nostalgia. Neither are we sealed within the present, as in a tomb. May the familiar voice of Jesus reach us, and reach everyone, because it is the only one that comes from the future. May he call us by name, prepare a place for us, free us from that sense of helplessness that tempts us to give up on life. May Mary, the woman of Holy Saturday, teach us once again to hope.

Dear brothers and sisters!

With great sorrow I am following the tragic news coming from Sudan, especially from the city of El Fasher in the war-torn region of North Darfur. Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on unarmed civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian aid are causing unbearable suffering for a population already exhausted by long months of conflict. Let us pray that the Lord may receive the deceased with his embrace, strengthen those who are suffering, and move the hearts of those responsible. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all parties involved to agree to a ceasefire and to urgently open humanitarian corridors. Finally, I call on the international community to act with determination and generosity, to provide assistance and to support those working tirelessly to bring relief.

Let us also pray for Tanzania, where, following the recent elections, violent clashes have broken out, leaving many victims. I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to follow the path of dialogue.

This afternoon, at the Verano Cemetery, I will celebrate the Eucharist for all the faithful departed. In spirit, I will visit the graves of my loved ones, and I will also pray for those who have no one to remember them.  But our heavenly Father knows and loves each of us, and he forgets no one!

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have gathered here to celebrate the Commemoration of all the faithful departed. We do so especially for those buried in this place, and with particular affection for our own loved ones. Although they left us on the day when they died, we continue to carry them with us in our hearts, and their memory remains always alive within us amid our daily lives. Often, something brings them to mind, and we recall experiences we once shared with them. Many places, even the fragrance of our homes, speak to us of those we have loved and who have gone before us, vividly maintaining their memory for us.

Today, however, we are not gathered merely to commemorate those who have departed from this world. Our Christian faith, founded upon Christ’s Paschal mystery, helps us to experience our memories as more than just a recollection of the past but also, and above all, as hope for the future. It is not so much about looking back, but instead looking forward towards the goal of our journey, towards the safe harbor that God has promised us, towards the unending feast that awaits us. There, around the Risen Lord and our loved ones, we hope to savor the joy of the eternal banquet. As we just heard from the prophet Isaiah: “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food… He will swallow up death forever” (25: 6,8).

This hope for the future brings to life our remembrance and prayer today. This is not an illusion for soothing the pain of our separation from loved ones, nor is it mere human optimism. Instead, it is the hope founded on the Resurrection of Jesus who has conquered death and opened for us the path to the fullness of life. As I said in a recent catechesis, the Lord is “the destination of our journey. Without his love, the voyage of life would become a wandering without a goal, a tragic mistake with a missed destination… The Risen One guarantees our arrival, leading us home, where we are awaited, loved and saved” (General Audience, 15 October 2025).

This final destination, this banquet around which the Lord will gather us, will be an encounter of love. For it was out of love that God created us, through the love of his Son that he saves us from death, and in the joy of that same love, he desires that we live forever with him and with our loved ones. For this reason, whenever we dwell in love and show charity to others, especially the weakest and most needy, then we can journey towards our goal, and even now anticipate it through an unbreakable bond with those who have gone before us. Moroever, Jesus encourages us in these words: “… for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).

Love conquers death. In love, God will gather us together with our loved ones.  And, if we journey together in charity, our very lives become a prayer rising up to God, uniting us with the departed, drawing us closer to them as we await to meet them again in the joy of eternal life.

Dear brothers and sisters, even as our sorrow for those no longer among us remains etched in our hearts, let us entrust ourselves to the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5). Let us fix our gaze upon the Risen Christ and think of our departed loved ones as enfolded in his light. Let us allow the Lord’s promise of eternal life to resound in our hearts. He will destroy death forever. Indeed, he has already conquered it, opening for us the way to eternal life by passing through the valley of death during his Paschal mystery. Thus, united to him, we too may enter and pass through the valley of death.

The Lord awaits us, and when we finally meet him at the end of our earthly journey, we shall rejoice with him and with our loved ones who have gone before us. May this promise sustain us, dry our tears, and raise our gaze upwards toward the hope for the future that never fades.

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On this Solemnity of All Saints, it is a great joy to include Saint John Henry Newman among the Doctors of the Church, and, at the same time, on the occasion of the Jubilee of the World of Education, to name him, together with Saint Thomas Aquinas, as co-Patron of the Church’s educational mission. Newman’s impressive spiritual and cultural stature will surely serve as an inspiration to new generations whose hearts thirst for the infinite, and who, through research and knowledge, are willing to undertake that journey which, as the ancients said, takes us per aspera ad astra, through difficulties to the stars.

The lives of the saints teach us that it is possible to live passionately amidst the complexity of the present, without neglecting the apostolic mandate to “shine like stars in the world” (Phil 2:15). On this solemn occasion, I wish to say to teachers and educational institutions: “Shine today like stars in the world” through your authentic commitment to the collective search for truth and to sharing it with generosity and integrity. Indeed, you do so through your service to young people, especially the poor, and your daily witness to the fact that “Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, 120).

The Jubilee is a pilgrimage of hope, and all of you, in the great field of education, know well how much hope is an indispensable seed! When I reflect on schools and universities, I think of them as laboratories of prophecy, where hope is lived, and constantly discussed and encouraged.

This is also the meaning of the Beatitudes proclaimed in today’s Gospel. The Beatitudes bring with them a new interpretation of reality. They are both the path and the message of Jesus the Teacher. At first glance, it seems impossible to declare as blessed those who are poor, or those who hunger and thirst for justice, the persecuted or the peacemakers. Yet, that which seems inconceivable in the world’s thinking is filled with meaning and light when brought into contact with the Kingdom of God. In the saints, we see this kingdom approaching and becoming present among us. Saint Matthew rightly presents the Beatitudes as a teaching, depicting Jesus as a Master, who transmits a new perspective on things, which is reflected in his own journey. The Beatitudes, however, are not just another teaching; they are the teaching par excellence. In the same way, the Lord Jesus is not just one of many teachers, he is the Master par excellence. Moreover, he is the Educator par excellence. We are his disciples and are in his “school.” We learn how to discover in his life, namely in the path he has travelled, a horizon of meaning capable of shining a light on all forms of knowledge. May our schools and universities always be places of listening to the Gospel and putting it into practice!

Responding to today’s challenges may sometimes seem beyond our capabilities, but this is not the case. Let us not allow pessimism to defeat us! I recall what my beloved predecessor Pope Francis emphasized in his   Address to the First Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Culture and Education: that we must work together to set humanity free from the encircling gloom of nihilism, which is perhaps the most dangerous malady of contemporary culture, since it threatens to “cancel” hope. [1] This reference to the darkness that surrounds us echoes one of Saint John Henry Newman’s best-known texts, the hymn “Lead, Kindly Light.” In that beautiful prayer, we come to realize that we are far from home, our feet are unsteady, we cannot interpret clearly the way ahead. Yet none of this impedes us, since we have found our Guide: “Lead, Kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on;” “Lead, Kindly Light, The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on.”

The task of education is precisely to offer this Kindly Light to those who might otherwise remain imprisoned by the particularly insidious shadows of pessimism and fear. For this reason, I would like to say to you: let us disarm the false reasons for resignation and powerlessness, and let us share the great reasons for hope in today’s world. Let us reflect upon and point out to others those “constellations” that transmit light and guidance at this present time, which is darkened by so much injustice and uncertainty. I thus encourage you to ensure that schools, universities and every educational context, even those that are informal or street-based, are always gateways to a civilization of dialogue and peace. Through your lives, let the “great multitude” shine forth, of which the Book of Revelation speaks in today’s liturgy, and which “no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,” and which stood “before the Lamb” (7:9).

In the biblical text, one of the elders observing the multitude asks: “Who are these… and from where have they come” (Rev 7:13). In this regard, in the field of education too, the Christian gaze rests on those who have come “out of the great tribulation” (v. 14) and recognizes in them the faces of so many brothers and sisters of every language and culture who, through the narrow gate of Jesus, have entered into the fullness of life. And so, once again, we must ask ourselves: “Does this mean that the less gifted are not human beings? Or that the weak do not have the same dignity as ourselves? Are those born with fewer opportunities of lesser value as human beings? Should they limit themselves merely to surviving? The worth of our societies, and our own future, depends on the answers we give to these questions” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, 95). We can say, too, that the evangelical value of our education also depends on the answers we give.

The lasting legacy of Saint John Henry Newman includes some very significant contributions to the theory and practice of education. He wrote, “God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next” (Meditations and Devotions, III, I, 2). In these words, we find beautifully expressed the mystery of the dignity of every human person, and also the variety of gifts distributed by God.

Life shines brightly not because we are rich, beautiful or powerful. Instead, it shines when we discover within ourselves the truth that we are called by God, have a vocation, have a mission, that our lives serve something greater than ourselves. Every single creature has a role to play. The contribution that each person can make is uniquely valuable, and the task of educational communities is to encourage and cherish that contribution. Let us not forget that at the heart of the educational journey we do not find abstract individuals but real people, especially those who seem to be underperforming according to the parameters of economies that exclude or even kill them. We are called to form people, so that they may shine like stars in their full dignity.

We can say, then, that from a Christian perspective education helps everyone to become saints. Nothing less will do. Pope Benedict XVI, on his   Apostolic Journey to Great Britain in September 2010, during which he beatified John Henry Newman, invited   young people to become saints with these words: “What God wants most of all for each one of you is that you should become holy. He loves you much more than you could ever begin to imagine.” [2]  This is the universal call to holiness that the Second Vatican Council made an essential part of its message (cf.  Lumen Gentium, Chapter V). And holiness is intended for everyone, without exception, as a personal and communal journey marked out by the Beatitudes.

I pray that Catholic education will help each person to discover their own call to holiness. Saint Augustine, whom Saint John Henry Newman greatly admired, once said that we are fellow students who have one Teacher, whose school is on earth and whose chair is in heaven (cf. Serm. 292,1).

[1] Cf. FRANCIS,  Address to the Participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Culture and Education (21 November 2024).

[2] BENEDICT XVI,  Address to Pupils (17 September 2010).

Dear brothers and sisters,

I would like to greet all of you who have taken part in this sacred celebration, especially the cardinals, bishops and distinguished authorities.

I am very pleased to welcome the official delegation of the Church of England, led by His Grace Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. Following the historic prayer meeting with His Majesty King Charles III, celebrated a few days ago in the Sistine Chapel, your presence today expresses our shared joy at the proclamation of Saint John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church. From Heaven, may he accompany Christians on their journey towards full union.

I extend my greetings to all the pilgrims present, especially the young people who have given life to the “Race of the Saints,” promoted by Missioni Don Bosco, which combines sport and solidarity with the most disadvantaged children.

Sisters and brothers, the mystery of the communion of saints, which we breathe in deeply today, reminds us of the final destiny of humanity: a great celebration in which we rejoice together in the love of God, present in all, recognizing and admiring the multifaceted beauty of faces, all different and all resembling the face of Christ. As we anticipate this future reality, we feel even more strongly and painfully how this contrasts with the tragedies that the human family is suffering because of injustice and war. We urgently feel the duty to be builders of fraternity. Let us entrust our prayer and our commitment to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and all the Saints!

01.11.25