By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Dec 26, 2024 / 13:30 pm
Pope Francis recalled the witness of persecuted Christians around the world on Thursday as he celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr.
In his Angelus address on Dec. 26, Pope Francis reflected on Stephen’s last words as he was being stoned to death as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Pope Francis said: “Even though at first sight Stephen seems to be helplessly suffering violence, in reality, as a truly free man, he continues to love even his killers and to offer his life for them, like Jesus; he offers his life so that they may repent and, having been forgiven, be given eternal life.”
“Today there are, in various parts of the world, many men and women who are persecuted, at times up to death, because of the Gospel,” the pope added. “What we have said about Stephen applies to them too. They do not allow themselves to be killed out of weakness, nor to defend an ideology, but to make everyone participants in the gift of salvation. And they do so first and foremost for the good of their killers … and they pray for them.”
Francis pointed to the example of Blessed Christian de Chergé, one of the French Trappist monks kidnapped from Algeria’s Tibhirine abbey in 1996 who is now counted in the Church among the “Martyrs of Algeria.”
In his poignant last testament, left to be opened in the event of his death, de Chergé, a Trappist monk, reflected on what he would say to his potential killer in Algeria. He expressed gratitude and wished to meet in paradise as “good thieves,” showing a remarkable level of forgiveness and love even in the face of terrorism.
Pope Francis praised this beautiful example set by de Chergé and compared him to St. Stephen, a martyr from centuries ago who also prayed for those who took his life. The pope emphasized God’s desire for the salvation of all and the infinite forgiveness and love that the Father has for each of His children.
From the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis shared these reflections after opening a jubilee Holy Door in Rebibbia Prison Complex, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and redemption even in the darkest of places.
This act of mercy and love echoes the teachings of Christ and serves as a reminder of the power of forgiveness in transforming lives, even within the confines of a prison.
