Messaggio del Santo Padre

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Pubblichiamo di seguito il testo del Messaggio del Santo Padre Francesco per la Quaresima 2025 sul tema “Camminiamo insieme nella speranza”:

 

Camminiamo insieme nella speranza

Cari fratelli e sorelle!

Con il segno penitenziale delle ceneri sul capo, iniziamo il pellegrinaggio annuale della santa Quaresima, nella fede e nella speranza. La Chiesa, madre e maestra, ci invita a preparare i nostri cuori e ad aprirci alla grazia di Dio per poter celebrare con grande gioia il trionfo pasquale di Cristo, il Signore, sul peccato e sulla morte, come esclamava San Paolo: «La morte è stata inghiottita nella vittoria. Dov’è, o morte, la tua vittoria? Dov’è, o morte, il tuo pungiglione?» (1Cor15,54-55). Infatti Gesù Cristo, morto e risorto, è il centro della nostra fede ed è il garante della nostra speranza nella grande promessa del Padre, già realizzata in Lui, il suo Figlio amato: la vita eterna (cfrGv10,28; 17,3)^[1].

In questa Quaresima, arricchita dalla grazia dell’Anno Giubilare, desidero offrirvi alcune riflessioni su cosa significacamminare insieme nella speranza, e scoprire gli appelli alla conversione che la misericordia di Dio rivolge a tutti noi, come persone e come comunità.

Prima di tutto,camminare. Il motto del Giubileo “Pellegrini di speranza” fa pensare al lungo viaggio del popolo d’Israele verso la terra promessa, narrato nel libro dell’Esodo: il difficile cammino dalla schiavitù alla libertà, voluto e guidato dal Signore, che ama il suo popolo e sempre gli è fedele. E non possiamo ricordare l’esodo biblico senza pensare a tanti fratelli e sorelle che oggi fuggono da situazioni di miseria e di violenza e vanno in cerca di una vita migliore per sé e i propri cari. Qui sorge un primo richiamo alla conversione, perché siamo tutti pellegrini nella vita, ma ognuno può chiedersi: come mi lascio interpellare da questa condizione? Sono veramente in cammino o piuttosto paralizzato, statico, con la paura e la mancanza di speranza, oppure adagiato nella mia zona di comodità? Cerco percorsi di liberazione dalle situazioni di peccato e di mancanza di dignità? Sarebbe un buon esercizio quaresimale confrontarsi con la realtà concreta di qualche migrante o pellegrino e lasciare che ci coinvolga, in modo da scoprire che cosa Dio ci chiede per essere viaggiatori migliori verso la casa del Padre. Questo è un buon “esame” per il viandante.

In secondo luogo, facciamo questo viaggioinsieme. Camminare insieme, essere sinodali, questa è la vocazione della Chiesa^[2]. I cristiani sono chiamati a fare strada insieme, mai come viaggiatori solitari. Lo Spirito Santo ci spinge ad uscire da noi stessi per andare verso Dio e verso i fratelli, e mai a chiuderci in noi stessi^[3]. Camminare insieme significa essere tessitori di unità, a partire dalla comune dignità di figli di Dio (cfrGal3,26-28); significa procedere fianco a fianco, senza calpestare o sopraffare l’altro, senza covare invidia o ipocrisia, senza lasciare che qualcuno rimanga indietro o si senta escluso. Andiamo nella stessa direzione, verso la stessa meta, ascoltandoci gli uni gli altri con amore e pazienza.

In questa Quaresima, Dio ci chiede di verificare se nella nostra vita, nelle nostre famiglie, nei luoghi in cui lavoriamo, nelle comunità parrocchiali o religiose, siamo capaci di camminare con gli altri, di ascoltare, di vincere la tentazione di arroccarci nella nostra autoreferenzialità e di badare soltanto ai nostri bisogni. Chiediamoci davanti al Signore se siamo in grado di lavorare insieme come vescovi, presbiteri, consacrati e laici, al servizio del Regno di Dio; se abbiamo un atteggiamento di accoglienza, con gesti concreti, verso coloro che si avvicinano a noi e a quanti sono lontani; se facciamo sentire le persone parte della comunità o se le teniamo ai margini^[4]. Questo è un secondo appello: la conversione alla sinodalità.

In terzo luogo, compiamo questo cammino insiemenella speranzadi una promessa. Lasperanza che non delude(cfrRm5,5), messaggio centrale del Giubileo^[5], sia per noi l’orizzonte del cammino quaresimale verso la vittoria pasquale. Come ci ha insegnato nell’EnciclicaSpe salviil Papa Benedetto XVI, «l’essere umano ha bisogno dell’amore incondizionato. Ha bisogno di quella certezza che gli fa dire: “Né morte né vita, né angeli né principati, né presente né avvenire, né potenze, né altezze né profondità, né alcun’altra creatura potrà mai separarci dall’amore di Dio, che è in Cristo Gesù, nostro Signore” (Rm8,38-39)»^[6]. Gesù, nostro amore e nostra speranza, è risorto^[7]e vive e regna glorioso. La morte è stata trasformata in vittoria e qui sta la fede e la grande speranza dei cristiani: nella risurrezione di Cristo!

Ecco la terza chiamata alla conversione: quella della speranza, della fiducia in Dio e nella sua grande promessa, la vita eterna. Dobbiamo chiederci: ho in me la convinzione che Dio perdona i miei peccati? Oppure mi comporto come se potessi salvarmi da solo? Aspiro alla salvezza e invoco l’aiuto di Dio per accoglierla? Vivo concretamente la speranza che mi aiuta a leggere gli eventi della storia e mi spinge all’impegno per la giustizia, alla fraternità, alla cura della casa comune, facendo in modo che nessuno sia lasciato indietro?

Sorelle e fratelli, grazie all’amore di Dio in Gesù Cristo, siamo custoditi nella speranza che non delude (cfrRm5,5). La speranza è “l’ancora dell’anima”, sicura e salda^[8]. In essa la Chiesa prega affinché «tutti gli uomini siano salvati» (1Tm2,4) e attende di essere nella gloria del cielo unita a Cristo, suo sposo. Così si esprimeva Santa Teresa di Gesù: «Spera, anima mia, spera. Tu non conosci il giorno né l’ora. Veglia premurosamente, tutto passa in un soffio, sebbene la tua impazienza possa rendere incerto ciò che è certo, e lungo un tempo molto breve» (Esclamazioni dell’anima a Dio, 15, 3)^[9].

La Vergine Maria, Madre della Speranza, interceda per noi e ci accompagni nel cammino quaresimale.

Roma, San Giovanni in Laterano, 6 febbraio 2025, memoria dei Santi Paolo Miki e compagni, martiri.

FRANCESCO

_____________________

^[1]Cfr Lett. enc.Dilexit nos(24 ottobre 2024), 220.

^[2]CfrOmelia nellaMessa per la canonizzazione dei BeatiGiovanni Battista Scalabrini e Artemide Zatti, 9 ottobre 2022.

^[3]Cfribid.

^[4]Cfribid.

^[5]Cfr BollaSpes non confundit, 1.

^[6]Lett.

Spe salvi (30 novembre 2007), 26.

^[7]Cfr Sequenza della Domenica di Pasqua.

^[8]Cfr Catechismo della Chiesa Cattolica, 1820.

^[9]Ivi, 1821.

[00312-IT.01] [Testo originale: Italiano]

Traduzione in lingua francese

 

Marchons ensemble dans l’espérance

Chers lecteurs et lectrices,

Le début du Carême est marqué par le signe des cendres, nous rappelant notre pèlerinage annuel de foi et d’espérance. L’Église nous invite à ouvrir nos cœurs à la grâce de Dieu pour célébrer avec joie la victoire de Pâques du Christ-Seigneur sur le péché et la mort. Comme le dit Saint Paul, “La mort a été engloutie dans la victoire. Ô Mort, où est ta victoire? Ô Mort, où est-il, ton aiguillon?” (1 Co 15, 54-55). Jésus-Christ, mort et ressuscité, est au cœur de notre foi, garantissant la promesse de vie éternelle en son Fils bien-aimé (cf. Jn 10, 28 ; 17, 3).

En ce Carême, enrichi par la grâce de l’année jubilaire, je souhaite partager des réflexions sur le sens de marcher ensemble dans l’espérance et répondre aux appels à la conversion que la miséricorde de Dieu nous adresse en tant qu’individus et en tant que communautés.

Le voyage de l’exode biblique du peuple d’Israël vers la Terre promise nous rappelle notre propre voyage de l’esclavage à la liberté. Nous sommes tous des pèlerins dans la vie, et nous devons nous demander comment nous répondons à cet appel. Sommes-nous en mouvement ou statiques par peur et manque d’espérance? Sommes-nous prêts à libérer les autres et nous-mêmes du péché et de la dignité perdue? Ce Carême, pourquoi ne pas nous mettre à la place d’un migrant ou d’un pèlerin pour comprendre ce que Dieu attend de nous pour être de meilleurs voyageurs vers sa maison? C’est un défi que nous pouvons tous relever.

En tant qu’Église, nous sommes appelés à marcher ensemble, à être synodaux. L’Esprit Saint nous pousse à sortir de nous-mêmes, à tisser des liens d’unité et à avancer côte à côte sans domination ni exclusion. En ce Carême, interrogeons-nous sur notre capacité à marcher avec les autres, à écouter, à nous préoccuper des besoins des autres et à travailler ensemble pour le Royaume de Dieu.

Enfin, marchons ensemble dans l’espérance de la promesse. La résurrection du Christ est le fondement de notre foi et de notre espérance. C’est en Dieu que nous trouvons la certitude de son amour inconditionnel, nous assurant que rien ne pourra nous séparer de lui. Vivons cette espérance concrètement en nous engageant pour la justice, la fraternité, et en prenant soin de notre maison commune.

Que ce Carême soit pour nous un temps de conversion, de marche ensemble dans l’espérance, vers la victoire de Pâques. Puissions-nous vivre pleinement l’espérance qui ne déçoit pas, ancrés dans la certitude de l’amour de Dieu en Jésus-Christ. La mort a été vaincue, et notre espérance repose dans la résurrection du Christ!

Que ce temps de Carême nous aide à renouveler notre confiance en Dieu et en sa promesse de vie éternelle. Marchons ensemble dans l’espérance, sûrs que notre âme est ancrée dans l’espérance qui ne déçoit pas. Puissions-nous, comme l’a dit sainte Thérèse de Jésus, espérer en l’avenir et en la promesse divine qui nous attend dans la gloire du ciel.

Embracing Hope: A Journey of Faith and Conversion

As we enter into the season of Lent, marked by the solemn rite of the imposition of ashes, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life and the need for repentance and renewal. The words of Saint Paul ring true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:54-55). This period of reflection and penance leads us towards the joyous celebration of Christ’s triumph over sin and death, a victory that fills us with hope and anticipation of eternal life.

Guided by the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” in this Jubilee Year, we are invited to embark on a journey of faith and conversion, both individually and as a community. Just as the people of Israel journeyed towards the Promised Land, we too are called to move forward, leaving behind the shackles of sin and embracing the freedom that comes from walking in the light of Christ.

This Lent, let us reflect on what it means to journey together in hope. We are not meant to walk this path alone but to support and uplift one another along the way. As Pope Francis reminds us, we are called to be synodal, walking side by side with our brothers and sisters, listening to their stories, and sharing in their joys and sorrows. It is through this communal journey that we truly embody the love and unity of the Body of Christ.

Hope is the anchor that sustains us through the trials and tribulations of life. It is the assurance that God’s promises are true and that His love never fails. This Lent, let us renew our commitment to trust in God’s unfailing mercy and to live out our faith with courage and conviction. May the resurrection of Christ be our guiding light, inspiring us to work for justice, peace, and the common good.

As we embark on this Lenten journey, may the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, accompany us and lead us closer to the heart of Christ. Let us open our hearts to God’s grace, trusting in His infinite love and mercy. For in Him, we find true hope and the promise of eternal life.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, February 6, 2025, Feast of Saint Paul Miki and his companions, martyrs.

FRANCIS

_____________________

^[1] Cf. Encyclical Letter Dilexit nos (October 24, 2024), n. 220

^[2] Cf. Homily at the canonization Mass of Blesseds Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemide Zatti, October 9, 2022.

^[3] Cf. Ibid.

^[4] Cf. Ibid.

^[5] Cf. Bull Spes non confundit, n. 1.

^[6] Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi (November 30, 2007), n. 26.

^[7] Cf. Sequence for Easter Sunday.

^[8] Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1820.

^[9] Ibid., n. 1821.

[00312-FR.01] [Original text: Italian]

English Translation

 

Let us journey together in hope

Dear brothers and sisters,

We begin our annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope with the penitential rite of the imposition of ashes. The Church, our mother and teacher, invites us to open our hearts to God’s grace, so that we can celebrate with great joy the paschal victory of Christ the Lord over sin and death, which led Saint Paul to exclaim: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor15:54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the heart of our faith and the pledge of our hope in the Father’s great promise, already fulfilled in his beloved Son: life eternal (cf.Jn10:28; 17:3).^[1]

This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means tojourney together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community.

First of all,to journey. The Jubilee motto, “Pilgrims of Hope”, evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life; each of us is invited to stop and ask how our lives reflect this fact. Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone? Am I seeking ways to leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade my dignity? It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father. This would be a good “examination of conscience” for all of us wayfarers.

Second, to journeytogether. The Church is called to walk together, to be synoda^[2]Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters.^[3]Journeying together means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (cf.Gal3:26-28). It means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded. Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.

This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves in the presence of the Lord whether, as bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity in the service of the Kingdom of God, we cooperate with others. Whether we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance.^[4]This, then, is a second call to conversion: a summons to synodality.

Third, let us journey togetherin hope, for we have been given a promise. Maythe hope that does not disappoint(cf.Rom5:5), the central message of the Jubilee,^[5]be the focus of our Lenten journey towards the victory of Easter. As Pope Benedict XVI taught us in the EncyclicalSpe Salvi, “the human being needs unconditional love. He needs the certainty which makes him say: ‘neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Rom8:38-39)”.^[6]Christ, my hope, has risen!^[7]He lives and reigns in glory. Death has been transformed into triumph, and the faith and great hope of Christians rests in this: the resurrection of Christ!

This, then, is the third call to conversion: a call to hope, to trust in God and his great promise of eternal life. Let us ask ourselves: Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?

Sisters and brothers, thanks to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are sustained in the hope that does not disappoint (cf.Rom5:5).

The Power of Hope in the Lenten Journey

Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”^[8]. It moves the Church to pray for “everyone to be saved” (1 Tim2:4) and to look forward to her being united with Christ, her bridegroom, in the glory of heaven. Saint Teresa of Avila beautifully expressed this sentiment in her prayer: “Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one” (The Exclamations of the Soul to God, 15:3)^[9].

As we embark on our Lenten journey, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, to guide and accompany us along the way.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 6 February 2025, Memorial of St Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs.

FRANCIS

_____________________

^[1]Cf. Encyclical Letter Dilexit Nos (24 October 2024), 220.^[2] Cf. Homily for the Mass and Canonization of Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemide Zatti, 9 October 2022.

^[3]Ibid.

^[4]Ibid.

^[5]Cf. Bull Spes Non Confundit, 1.

^[6]Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi (30 November 2007), 26.

^[7]Cf. Easter Sequence.

^[8]Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1820.

^[9]Ibid, 1821.

[00312-EN.01] [Original text: Italian]

Traduzione in lingua tedesca

Gehen wir gemeinsam in Hoffnung

Liebe Brüder und Schwestern!

Mit the Bußsymbol der Asche auf dem Haupt beginnen wir im Glauben und in der Hoffnung den jährlichen Pilgerweg der Fastenzeit. Die Kirche, Mutter und Lehrerin, lädt uns ein, unsere Herzen zu bereiten und uns für Gottes Gnade zu öffnen, damit wir mit großer Freude den österlichen Triumph Christi, des Herrn, über Sünde und Tod feiern und mit dem heiligen Paulus rufen können: »Verschlungen ist der Tod vom Sieg. Tod, wo ist dein Sieg? Tod, wo ist dein Stachel?« (1 Kor15,54-55). Denn der gestorbene und auferstandene Jesus Christus ist das Zentrum unseres Glaubens und der Garant für unsere Hoffnung auf die große Verheißung des Vaters, die in ihm, seinem geliebten Sohn, bereits verwirklicht ist: das ewige Leben (vgl.Joh10,28; 17,3)^[1].

In dieser Fastenzeit, die zudem von der Gnade des Jubiläumsjahres bereichert wird, möchte ich euch einige Gedanken darüber vorlegen, was es bedeutet, gemeinsam auf dem Weg der Hoffnung zu sein und die Aufrufe zur Umkehr erschließen, die Gottes Barmherzigkeit an uns alle richtet, als Einzelne und als Gemeinschaft.

An erster Stelle: Gehen. Das Motto des Heiligen Jahres „Pilger der Hoffnung“ erinnert uns an die lange Reise des Volkes Israel in das Gelobte Land, von der das Buch Exodus erzählt: an den schwierigen Weg von der Sklaverei in die Freiheit, gewollt und geführt vom Herrn, der sein Volk liebt und ihm immer treu ist. Und wir können uns nicht an den biblischen Exodus erinnern, ohne dabei an die vielen Brüder und Schwestern zu denken, die heute aus Situationen von Elend und Gewalt fliehen und auf der Suche nach einem besseren Leben für sich und ihre Lieben sind. Daraus ergibt sich ein erster Ruf zur Umkehr, denn wir alle sind Pilger auf dem Weg unseres Lebens, aber jeder von uns kann sich fragen: Was bedeutet das für mich? Bin ich wirklich auf einem Weg oder bin ich eher gelähmt, statisch, voller Angst und Hoffnungslosigkeit oder bleibe ich in meiner Komfortzone? Suche ich Wege der Befreiung aus sündigen und unwürdigen Zuständen? Es wäre eine gute Übung für die Fastenzeit, sich mit der konkreten Realität eines Migranten oder Pilgers zu befassen und sich darauf einzulassen, um herauszufinden, was Gott von uns verlangt, damit wir besser auf das Haus des Vaters zugehen können. Dies ist eine gute „Prüfung“ für den, der auf dem Weg ist.

Zweitens: Wir wollen diesen Weg gemeinsam gehen. Gemeinsam zu gehen, synodal zu sein, das ist die Berufung der Kirche^[2]. Die Christen sind dazu gerufen, gemeinsam zu gehen, niemals Einzelgänger zu sein. Der Heilige Geist drängt uns, aus uns selbst herauszugehen, um auf Gott und unsere Brüder und Schwestern zuzugehen, und uns niemals in uns selbst zu verschließen^[3]. Zusammen gehen bedeutet, ausgehend von unserer gemeinsamen Würde als Kinder Gottes (vgl.Gal3,26-28) an der Einheit zu weben; es bedeutet, Seite an Seite zu gehen, ohne den anderen mit Füßen zu treten oder zu überwältigen, ohne Neid oder Heuchelei zu hegen, ohne dass jemand zurückbleibt oder sich ausgeschlossen fühlt. Lasst uns in dieselbe Richtung gehen, auf dasselbe Ziel zu, indem wir einander mit Liebe und Geduld zuhören.

In dieser Fastenzeit fordert Gott uns auf, zu prüfen, ob wir in unserem Leben, in unseren Familien, an unseren Arbeitsplätzen, in unseren Pfarreien oder Ordensgemeinschaften in der Lage sind, gemeinsam mit den anderen zu gehen, zuzuhören und die Versuchung zu überwinden, uns in unserer Selbstbezogenheit zu verschanzen und nur auf unsere eigenen Bedürfnisse zu achten. Fragen wir uns vor dem Herrn, ob wir in der Lage sind, als Bischöfe, Priester, Gottgeweihte und Laien im Dienst am Reich Gottes zusammenzuarbeiten; ob wir denen, die zu uns kommen, und denen, die weit weg sind, mit einer einladenden Haltung, die sich in konkreten Gesten äußert, begegnen; ob wir den Menschen das Gefühl geben, Teil der Gemeinschaft zu sein, oder ob wir sie am Rande stehen lassen^[4]. Dies ist ein zweiter Aufruf: Bekehrung zur Synodalität.

Drittens: Lasst uns diesen Weg gemeinsam in der Hoffnung auf eine Verheißung gehen. Möge die Hoffnung, die nicht zugrunde gehen lässt (vgl. Röm5,5), die zentrale Botschaft des Heiligen Jahres^[5], uns als Horizont auf dem Weg der Fastenzeit zum Ostersieg dienen. Wie uns Papst Benedikt XVI. in der Enzyklika Spe salvi lehrte, braucht der Mensch »die unbedingte Liebe. Er braucht jene Gewissheit, die ihn sagen lässt: „Weder Tod noch Leben, weder Engel noch Mächte, weder Gegenwärtiges noch Zukünftiges, weder Gewalten der Höhe oder Tiefe noch irgendeine andere Kreatur können uns scheiden von der Liebe Gottes, die in Christus Jesus ist, unserem Herrn“ (Röm8,38-39)«^[6]. Jesus, unsere Liebe und unsere Hoffnung, ist auferstanden^[7]und er lebt und herrscht in Herrlichkeit. Der Tod ist verwandelt worden in einen Sieg, und darin liegt der Glaube und die große Hoffnung der Christen: in der Auferstehung Christi!

Das ist der dritte Aufruf zur Umkehr: der zur Hoffnung, zum Vertrauen auf Gott und auf seine große Verheißung, das ewige Leben.

Camino de Esperanza: Reflexiones Cuaresmales

En esta época de Cuaresma, es importante reflexionar sobre nuestra fe y nuestra esperanza en Dios. Debemos preguntarnos: ¿realmente confío en que Dios perdona mis pecados, o actúo como si pudiera salvarme por mi cuenta? ¿Anhelo la salvación y busco la ayuda de Dios para recibirla? ¿Vivo con la esperanza que me lleva a comprometerme con la justicia, la fraternidad y el cuidado de nuestro hogar común, asegurándome de que nadie quede rezagado?

Queridos hermanos y hermanas, gracias al amor de Dios en Jesucristo, estamos protegidos por una esperanza que nunca nos defrauda. La esperanza es como “el ancla del alma”, segura y firme. En ella, la Iglesia ora para que “todos se salven” y espera unirse un día a Cristo en la gloria del cielo, como dijo santa Teresa de Jesús: “Espera, espera, que no sabes cuándo vendrá el día ni la hora…”.

Que la Virgen María, Madre de la Esperanza, interceda por nosotros y nos acompañe en este camino cuaresmal.

Roma, San Juan de Letrán, 6 de febrero de 2025, memoria de los santos Pablo Miki y compañeros, mártires.

FRANCISCO

^[1]Cf. Carta enc.Dilexit nos(24 octubre 2024), 220.

^[2]Cf.Homilía en la Santa Misa por la canonización de los beatos Juan Bautista Scalabrini y Artémides Zatti(9 octubre 2022).

^[3]Cf.ibíd.

^[4]Cf.ibíd.

^[5]Cf. BulaSpes non confundit, 1.

^[6]Carta enc.Spe salvi(30 noviembre 2007), 26.

^[7]Cf. Secuencia del Domingo de Pascua.

^[8]Cf.Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 1820.

^[9]Ibíd.,1821.

[00312-ES.01] [Texto original: Italiano]

Traduzione in lingua portoghese

 

Caminhemos juntos na esperança

Queridos irmãos e irmãs!

Com o sinal penitencial das cinzas sobre as nossas cabeças, iniciamos na fé e na esperança a peregrinação anual da Santa Quaresma. A Igreja, mãe e mestra, convida-nos a preparar os nossos corações e a abrir-nos à graça de Deus para podermos celebrar com grande alegria o triunfo pascal de Cristo, o Senhor, sobre o pecado e a morte, como exclamava São Paulo: «A morte foi tragada pela vitória. Onde está, ó morte, a tua vitória? Onde está, ó morte, o teu aguilhão?» (1Cor15, 54-55). Realmente, Jesus Cristo, morto e ressuscitado, é o centro da nossa fé e a garantia da nossa esperança na grande promessa do Pai, já realizada n’Ele, Seu Filho amado: a vida eterna (cf.Jo10, 28; 17, 3)^[1].

Nesta Quaresma, enriquecida pela graça do Ano Jubilar, gostaria de oferecer algumas reflexões sobre o que significacaminhar juntos na esperanzae evidenciar os apelos à conversão que a misericórdia de Deus dirige a todos nós, enquanto indivíduos e comunidades.

Antes de tudo,caminhar. O lema do Jubileu – “Peregrinos de Esperanza” – traz à mente a longa travessia do povo de Israel em direção à Terra Prometida, narrada no livro do Êxodo: a difícil passagem da escravidão para a liberdade, desejada e guiada pelo Senhor, que ama o seu povo e sempre lhe é fiel.E não podemos recordar o êxodo bíblico sem pensar em tantos irmãos e irmãs que, hoje, fogem de situações de miséria e violência e vão à procura de uma vida melhor para si e para seus entes queridos.Aqui, surge um primeiro apelo à conversão, porque todos nós somos peregrinos na vida, mas cada um pode perguntar-se: como me deixo interpelar por esta condição? Estou realmente a caminho ou estou paralisado, estático, com medo e sem esperança, acomodado na minha zona de conforto? Busco caminhos de libertação das situações de pecado e falta de dignidade? Seria um bom exercício quaresmal confrontar-nos com a realidade concreta de algum migrante ou peregrino e deixar que ela nos interpele, a fim de descobrir o que Deus pede de nós para sermos melhores viajantes rumo à casa do Pai. Esse é um bom “exame” para o viandante.

Em segundo lugar, façamos esta viagemjuntos. Caminhar juntos, ser sinodal, é esta a vocação da Igreja^[2]. Los cristianos son llamados a recorrer el camino juntos, nunca como viajeros solitarios. El Espíritu Santo nos impulsa a salir de nosotros mismos para encontrarnos con Dios y nuestros hermanos, y nunca a cerrarnos en nosotros mismos. Caminhar juntos significa ser tejedores de unidad, partiendo de nuestra dignidad común como hijos de Dios; significa caminar lado a lado, sin pisotear ni someter al otro, sin alimentar envidias o hipocresías, sin permitir que nadie quede rezagado o se sienta excluido. Sigamos en la misma dirección, hacia una meta única, escuchándonos mutuamente con amor y paciencia.

En esta Cuaresma, Dios nos pide que reflexionemos si en nuestras vidas y familias, en los lugares donde trabajamos, en las comunidades parroquiales o religiosas, somos capaces de caminar con los demás, de escuchar, de vencer la tentación de refugiarnos en nuestra autorreferencialidad y de mirar solo nuestras propias necesidades. Preguntémonos ante el Señor si somos capaces de trabajar juntos al servicio del Reino de Dios, como obispos, sacerdotes, personas consagradas y laicos; si, con gestos concretos, tenemos una actitud acogedora hacia aquellos que se acercan a nosotros y a quienes están lejos; si hacemos que las personas se sientan parte de la comunidad o si las mantenemos al margen. Este es el segundo llamado: la conversión a la sinodalidad.

En tercer lugar, hagamos este camino juntosen la esperanzade una promesa. Laesperanza que no engaña, mensaje central del Jubileo, sea para nosotros el horizonte del camino cuaresmal hacia la victoria pascual. Como nos enseñó el Papa Benedicto XVI en la EncíclicaSpe salvi, “el ser humano necesita del amor incondicional. Necesita de esa certeza que lo hace exclamar: ‘Ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni los ángeles, ni los principados, ni el presente, ni el futuro, ni las potestades, ni la altura, ni la profundidad, ni cualquier otra criatura podrá separarnos del amor de Dios, que está en Cristo Jesús, nuestro Señor'”. Jesús, nuestro amor y nuestra esperanza, ha resucitado y reina glorioso. ¡La muerte ha sido transformada en victoria y en eso reside la fe y la gran esperanza de los cristianos: ¡en la resurrección de Cristo!

Este es el tercer llamado a la conversión: el de la esperanza, la confianza en Dios y en su gran promesa, la vida eterna.

Vamos Refletir Juntos na Esperança durante a Quaresma

Devemos perguntar-nos: estou convicto de que Deus me perdoa os pecados? Ou comporto-me como se me pudesse salvar sozinho? Aspiro à salvação e peço a ajuda de Deus para a receber? Vivo concretamente a esperança que me ajuda a ler os acontecimentos da história e me impele a um compromisso com a justiça, a fraternidade, o cuidado da casa comum, garantindo que ninguém seja deixado para trás?

Irmãs e irmãos, graças ao amor de Deus em Jesus Cristo, somos conservados na esperança que não engana (cf. Rm 5, 5). A esperança é “a âncora da alma”, inabalável e segura. Nela, a Igreja reza para que «todos os homens sejam salvos» (1Tm 2, 4) e ela própria anseia estar na glória do céu, unida a Cristo, seu esposo. Santa Teresa de Jesus expressou isso da seguinte forma: «Espera, espera, que não sabes quando virá o dia nem a hora. Vela com cuidado, que tudo passa com brevidade, embora o teu desejo faça o certo duvidoso e longo o tempo breve» (Exclamações, XV, 3).

Que a Virgem Maria, Mãe da Esperança, interceda por nós e nos acompanhe no caminho quaresmal.

Roma, São João de Latrão, na Memória dos Santos mártires Paulo Miki e companheiros, 6 de fevereiro de 2025.

FRANCISCO

^[1] Cf. Carta enc. Dilexit nos (24 de outubro de 2024), 220.

^[2] Cf. Homilia na Missa de canonização dos Beatos João Batista Scalabrini e Artemide Zatti, 9 de outubro de 2022.

^[3] Cf. Ibid.

^[4] Cf. Ibid.

^[5] Cf. Bula Spes non confundit, 1.

^[6] Carta enc. Spe salvi (30 de novembro de 2007), 26.

^[7] Cf. Sequência do Domingo de Páscoa.

^[8] Cf. Catecismo da Igreja Católica, 1820.

^[9] Ibid., 1821.

[00312-PO.01] [Texto original: Italiano]

Traduzione in lingua polacca

Podążajmy razem w nadziei

Drodzy Bracia i Siostry!

Z pokutnym znakiem popiołu na głowie, z wiarą i nadzieją rozpoczynamy doroczną pielgrzymkę Wielkiego Postu. Kościół, matka i nauczycielka, zaprasza nas do przygotowania naszych serc i otwarcia się na Bożą łaskę, abyśmy mogli z wielką radością świętować paschalny triumf Chrystusa Pana nad grzechem i śmiercią, jak wołał św. Paweł: „Zwycięstwo pochłonęło śmierć. Gdzież jest, o śmierci twoje zwycięstwo? Gdzież jest, o śmierci, twój oścień?” (1 Kor 15, 54-55). Istotnie, Jezus Chrystus, umarły i zmartwychwstały, jest centrum naszej wiary i gwarantem naszej nadziei na spełnienie wielkiej obietnicy Ojca, która już się urzeczywistniła w Nim, Jego umiłowanym Synu: obietnicy życia wiecznego (por. J 10, 28; 17, 3).

W tym Wielkim Poście, ubogaconym łaską Roku Jubileuszowego, chciałbym zaproponować wam kilka refleksji na temat znaczenia wspólnego podążania w nadziei, i odkrywanie wezwań do nawrócenia, które Boże miłosierdzie kieruje do nas wszystkich, jako do osób oraz jako do wspólnoty.

Przede wszystkim, podążać. Jubileuszowe hasło „Pielgrzymi nadziei” przywodzi na myśl długą drogę ludu Izraela do Ziemi Obiecanej, opisaną w Księdze Wyjścia: trudną drogę od niewoli ku wolności, upragnioną i wytyczaną przez Pana, który miłuje swój lud i jest mu zawsze wierny. Nie możemy zaś wspominać biblijnego exodusu, nie myśląc o wielu braciach i siostrach, którzy dziś uciekają przed nędzą i przemocą, i idą w poszukiwaniu lepszego życia dla siebie i swoich bliskich. Tu, pojawia się pierwsze wezwanie do nawrócenia, ponieważ wszyscy jesteśmy pielgrzymami w życiu, ale każdy z nas może zapytać siebie: na ile pozwalam, żeby ten stan rzeczy stał się dla mnie wyzwaniem? Czy naprawdę jestem w drodze, czy jestem raczej sparaliżowany, statyczny, pełen lęku i beznadziei, lub wygodnie ułożony w mojej strefie komfortu? Czy szukam dróg wyzwolenia z sytuacji grzechu i braku godności? Dobrym ćwiczeniem wielkopostnym byłoby skonfrontowanie się z konkretną rzeczywistością jakiegoś migranta lub pielgrzyma i przyzwolenie, by nas to zaangażowało, aby odkryć, czego Bóg od nas oczekuje, abyśmy byli lepszymi wędrowcami do domu Ojca. To jest dobry „egzamin” dla wędrowcy.

Po drugie, odbywajmy tę podróż razem. Podążanie razem –bycie „synodalnymi” – to jest powołanie Kościoła. Chrześcijanie są wezwani do pokonywania drogi wspólnie, nigdy jako samotni podróżnicy. Duch Święty pobudza nas do wychodzenia poza samych siebie, aby iść ku Bogu oraz ku braciom i siostrom, a nigdy do zamykania się w sobie. Podążać razem to znaczy być „tkaczami” jedności, zaczynając od wspólnej godności dzieci Bożych (por. Ga 3, 26-28). To znaczy iść do przodu ramię w ramię, nie depcząc ani nie górując nad innymi, bez wyniszczającej zazdrości czy hipokryzji, bez pozwalania na to, by ktokolwiek pozostawał w tyle lub czuł się wykluczony. Idźmy w tym samym kierunku, do tego samego celu, z miłością i cierpliwością słuchając siebie nawzajem.

W tym Wielkim Poście Bóg wzywa nas do zweryfikowania, czy w naszym życiu, w naszych rodzinach, w miejscach, w których pracujemy, we wspólnotach parafialnych lub zakonnych, jesteśmy zdolni do kroczenia z innymi, do słuchania, do przezwyciężania pokusy zakorzeniania się w swojej autoreferencyjności i dbania wyłącznie o własne potrzeby. Zapytajmy siebie przed Panem, czy jesteśmy w stanie pracować razem jako biskupi, kapłani, osoby konsekrowane i świeccy, w służbie Królestwa Bożego? Czy zachowujemy postawę gościnności, z konkretnymi gestami, wobec tych, którzy się do nas zwracają, i do tych, którzy są daleko? Czy sprawiamy, że ludzie czują się częścią wspólnoty, czy też trzymamy ich na marginesie. To jest drugie wezwanie: nawrócenie do synodalności.

Po trzecie, wyruszmy razem w tę drogę w nadziei na spełnienie się obietnicy. Niech nadzieja, która nie zawodzi (por. Rz 5, 5), centralne przesłanie tego Jubileuszu, będzie dla nas perspektywą wielkopostnej drogi ku paschalnemu zwycięstwu. Jak uczył nas Papież Benedykt XVI w encyklice Spe salvi: „Istota ludzka potrzebuje miłości bezwarunkowej. Potrzebuje tej pewności, dzięki której może powiedzieć: «Ani śmierć, ani życie, ani aniołowie, ani Zwierzchności, ani rzeczy teraźniejsze, ani przyszłe, ani Moce, ani co [jest] wysoko, ani co głęboko, ani jakiekolwiek inne stworzenie nie zdoła nas odłączyć od miłości Boga, która jest w Jezusie Chrystusie, Panu naszym (Rz 8, 38-39)»”.

Jezus, nasza miłość i nasza nadzieja, zmartwychwstał, żyje i króluje w chwale. Śmierć została przemieniona w zwycięstwo i tu tkwi wiara i wielka nadzieja chrześcijan: w zmartwychwstaniu Chrystusa!

Oto trzecie wezwanie do nawrócenia: wezwanie do nadziei, do zaufania Bogu i Jego wielkiej obietnicy, życia wiecznego. Musimy zadać sobie pytanie: czy mam w sobie przekonanie, że Bóg przebacza moje grzechy? A może zachowuję się tak, jakbym mógł zbawić się sam? Czy pragnę zbawienia i wzywam Bożej pomocy, aby go dostąpić? Czy konkretnie żyję nadzieją, która pomaga mi odczytywać wydarzenia historii i pobudza mnie do zaangażowania się na rzecz sprawiedliwości, braterstwa, troski o wspólny dom, dbając o to, by nikt nie został pozostawiony samemu sobie?

Siostry i bracia, dzięki miłości Boga w Jezusie Chrystusie, jesteśmy zachowani w nadziei, która nie zawodzi. A esperança é uma “âncora da alma” inabalável e segura. Vamos nos unir na jornada quaresmal, confiantes de que a Virgem Maria, Mãe da Esperança, interceda por nós e nos guie neste caminho de fé e amor.

In the Church, we pray that “all people may be saved” (1 Tim 2, 4) and await the unity in the glory of heaven with Christ, our beloved. St. Teresa of Jesus expressed this as: “Trust, my soul, trust, for you do not know the day or the hour. Watch diligently, everything passes quickly, even though your longing makes uncertain what is certain, and time is short – long” (Calls of the Soul to God, 15, 3) [9].

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us and accompany us on our Lenten journey.

Rome, at St. John Lateran, on February 6, 2025, in memory of St. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs.

FRANCIS

_____________________

[1] See Enc. Dilexit nos (October 24, 2024), 220.

[2] See Homily during the Holy Mass for the canonization of John Baptist Scalabrini and Artemius Zatti, October 9, 2022.

[3] See ibid.

[4] See ibid.

[5] See Bull Spes non confundit, 1.

[6] See Enc. Spe salvi (November 30, 2007), 26.

[7] See Sequence of Easter Sunday.

[8] See Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1820.

[9] Ibid., n. 1821.

Let us embark on this Lenten journey together with hope and faith. The Church calls us to prepare our hearts and open ourselves to God’s grace in anticipation of the great joy of Christ’s victory in Easter. Just as St. Paul exclaimed: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15, 54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, is the center of our faith and the guarantee of our hope in the promise of the great Father, who is eternal life (see John 10, 28; 17, 3), fulfilled in the beloved Son.

In this season of Lent, enriched by the grace of the Jubilee year, I would like to share some thoughts on what it means to journey together in hope, to discover the calls to repentance that God’s mercy directs to us as individuals and communities.

Firstly, the journey. The theme of the Jubilee “Pilgrims of Hope” invites us to reflect on the long journey of the people of Israel towards the Promised Land, as recounted in the book of Exodus: the difficult march from slavery to freedom, desired by God who loves His people and always accompanies them. We cannot recall the Exodus in the Bible without thinking of the many brothers and sisters today fleeing from poverty and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Here we find the first call to repentance, for we are all pilgrims in life, and each one of us can ask themselves: How do I face this situation? Am I truly on a journey, or am I paralyzed, stuck in one place, drowning in fear and lack of hope, or settled in my comfort zone? Am I seeking paths to liberate myself from sin and the lack of dignity? It will be a good exercise during Lent to confront the practical reality of some migrants or pilgrims and allow ourselves to be affected by it, to discover what God demands of us to be better travelers towards the Father’s house. This is a good test for the traveler.

Secondly, let us walk this journey together. To journey together, to be a “synod,” is the Church’s call. Christians are called to walk together, never to journey alone. The Holy Spirit urges us to step out of ourselves to go towards God and our brothers, not to close in on ourselves. To journey together means to be weavers of unity, based on the common dignity as children of God (see Galatians 3, 26-28). It means to walk side by side, without trampling or oppressing others, without harboring envy or hypocrisy, and without allowing anyone to remain behind or feel excluded and marginalized. To walk in the same direction, towards the same goal, listening to each other with love and patience.

In this season of Lent, God asks us if we are able to walk together with others in our lives, families, workplaces, and our pastoral or monastic communities. Are we able to listen to them and overcome the experience of confining ourselves to our self-reference, thinking only of our needs? Let us ask ourselves before the Lord Jesus if we can work together, bishops, priests, consecrated, laypeople, in the service of God’s kingdom, and if we welcome others with tangible actions, both those who are near and those who are far from us, and if we make people feel that they are part of the community of believers or keep them on the sidelines? This is the second call: repentance and change towards synodality.

Thirdly, let us complete this journey together, filled with hope in the promise. Hope that does not disappoint (see Romans 5, 5), the main message of the Jubilee, should be our horizon for our Lenten journey towards the triumph of Easter. As Pope Benedict XVI taught in the general audience, “Saved by hope,” “Man needs unconditional love. He needs an assurance that makes him say: ‘Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor present things nor future things, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8, 38-39).” Jesus, our love and hope, has risen from the dead and reigns in His glory. Death has turned into victory, in this lies the faith and great hope of Christians: in the resurrection of Christ from the dead!

This is the third call to repentance: the invitation to hope and trust in God and His great promise, eternal life. We must ask ourselves: Do I have the confidence that God forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I look forward to salvation and seek God’s help to accept it? Do I truly live in hope that helps me understand the events of history and compels me to commit to justice, brotherhood, and caring for our common home, so that we do not leave anyone behind abandoned?

Dear brothers and sisters, with the power of God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are protected by the hope that does not disappoint (see Romans 5, 5). Hope is the anchor of the soul, firm and secure. With hope, the Church prays that “all people may be saved” (1 Timothy 2, 4) and awaits to be united in the glory of heaven with Christ her bridegroom. This is how St. Teresa of the Child Jesus used to say: “Stand firm in hope, my soul, stand firm in hope. For you do not know the day or the hour.”

[00312-PL.01] [Original text: Italian]

Translation in Arabic Language

Message from His Holiness Pope Francis

On the Occasion of Lent 2025

Walking Together in Hope

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