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

Pope Leo General Audience 12.11.25

FAMINE

Pope Francis

Hunger

Hunger is an injustice that destroys men and women because they have nothing to eat, even if there is a lot food available in the world. Human exploitation; different forms of slavery; recently I saw a film shot inside a prison where migrants are locked up and tortured to turn them into slaves. This is still happening 70 years after the Declaration of Human Rights. Cultural colonization. This is exactly what the Devil wants, to destroy human dignity – and that is why the Devil is behind all forms of persecution.

01.06.18

Pope Leo Holy Mass 16.11.25  

Pope Leo Angelus 16.11.25

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

Pope Leo Angelus 16.11.25

Pope Leo – November  2025

For the prevention of suicide

How do we receive the Word of God? The response is clear: As one receives Jesus Christ. The Church tells us that Jesus is present in the Scripture, in His Word.

Always carry a small Gospel with you in your purse, in your pocket, and read a passage from the Gospel during the day. Not so much to learn something, but mostly to find Jesus, because Jesus actually is in His Word, in His Gospel.  Every time I read the Gospel, I find Jesus.  - Pope Francis 01.09.14

Daily Readings - read the entire New Testament over a 2 year period (reading plan courtesy of Gideon International)

The Bible Online

Thank you, Francis

Every month, you have invited us to pray with you for the challenges of humanity and the mission of the Church, teaching us to learn compassion for others from the heart of Christ. Thank you, Francis, for your life and your witness.

Your Worldwide Prayer Network.

Pope Francis Easter Message and Urbi et Orbi Blessing   20.04.25

Easter Sunday

for the full transcript click on the picture link above

Pope Francis

Care for Our Common Home - Laudato Si'

Pope Francis 

Refugees and Migrants

Pope Francis

 Marriage

Pope Francis - The ‘foreverness’ and beauty of Love 

Pope Francis - The Family in the Light of the Word of God

Pope Francis 

Fraternity

Pope Francis

Compassion

Pope Francis

Happiness

Pope Leo Holy Mass 03.11.25 

in suffrage for the late Pope Francis and for the deceased Cardinals and Bishops 

Pope Francis Message for the 58th World Day of Peace 01.01.25