At his first Saturday Jubilee Audience, Pope Francis emphasized the transformative power of God’s Kingdom as a time for a new beginning. Drawing inspiration from John the Baptist, whom he hailed as a “great prophet of hope,” the Pope set the tone for the upcoming Holy Year.
By Lisa Zengarini
During the audience, Pope Francis spoke about the significance of hope, the central theme of the 2025 Holy Year. This new cycle of bi-weekly audiences will focus on hope, integrating the traditional Wednesday catechetical sessions throughout the year. The Pope’s words echoed as an invitation to pilgrims visiting Rome to seek a fresh start.
Addressing a crowd of nearly 8,000 people in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope delved into John the Baptist’s role as a beacon of hope in salvation history. He referred to Jesus’ praise of John as the “greatest among those born of women” (Luke 7:24,26-28).
John’s mission, centered around repentance and renewal symbolized by crossing the River Jordan, parallels the pilgrimage of Christians passing through the Holy Door during the Jubilee. This act, according to Pope Francis, signifies a spiritual reset and a new beginning.
Describing hope as a divine gift, the Pope emphasized that it is not merely a trait but a strength to be sought after. Hope propels Christians to embark on a journey of renewal and transformation in life.
In a world where challenges and doubts abound, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of recognizing our smallness before the greatness of God’s Kingdom. Through the teachings of the Gospel, particularly the Beatitudes, a new path of hope emerges, offering solace in times of despair.
Concluding his address, Pope Francis called for embracing hope and renewal through acts of service, fraternity, and responsibility towards the least and our common home, the Earth. He emphasized that the essence of the Jubilee lies in starting afresh, grounded in God’s love and a commitment to serving others.
As Pope Francis eloquently put it, “Let us start again from this originality of God, which shone in Jesus and binds us to serve, love fraternally, acknowledge our smallness, and advocate for the least. This is the new beginning, our Jubilee!”
