Pope Francis & Hope: Jubilee 2025 & Messages Of Encouragement
Is hope merely a fleeting emotion, or is it a fundamental pillar upon which we can build a more meaningful existence? Across the ages, hope has resonated as a powerful force, offering solace in times of adversity and inspiring action towards a brighter future.
The Apostle Paul, in his words of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome, emphasized the importance of hope. Echoing this sentiment, Pope Francis has consistently highlighted the significance of hope within the Christian faith. He writes that hope is both a gift from God and a task that must be cultivated by all believers. This is evident in his new book, "Hope is a Light in the Night," a collection of excerpts from his various speeches exploring the theological virtue of hope. Pope Francis has called on Catholics to embrace their role as "pilgrims of hope," a message he further emphasized in a BBC podcast. He stressed that "hope and kindness touch the very heart of the gospel."
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Education | Master's Degree in Chemistry (briefly), Philosophy, Theology |
| Ordination | Ordained a priest on December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Ordination | Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires on June 28, 1992 |
| Archbishop of Buenos Aires | Appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 |
| Cardinal | Elevated to Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on February 21, 2001 |
| Election as Pope | Elected Pope on March 13, 2013 |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Notable Activities | Advocate for the poor, environmental concerns, and interreligious dialogue; reformed the Vatican's financial operations; issued major encyclicals on social issues. |
| Key Themes | Mercy, social justice, environmental protection, dialogue, and pastoral care. |
| Major Encyclicals | Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home), Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship) |
| Reference | Vatican Official Website |
The Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee, a significant event in the liturgical calendar, was officially proclaimed on Thursday by Pope Francis. He presided over a formal reading of the Jubilee's papal bull of indiction, a crucial step in initiating the year-long celebration. The Pope's emphasis on hope has been a consistent theme throughout his papacy, and the Jubilee year provides a unique opportunity to focus on this virtue. In his Angelus address, Pope Francis encouraged Christians to be "messengers of hope" during the Jubilee year, urging them to embrace life by saying "yes" to life.
The visual landscape of the Jubilee is also taking shape. Images of pilgrims walking toward the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican are a familiar sight. In the context of the Jubilee, these images symbolize a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage towards God's mercy and grace. Even during times of personal health challenges, as evidenced by the Pope's hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the message of hope remains central. The theme of the year for hope is deeply ingrained in the upcoming Jubilee.
The decree, known as a "bull of indiction," for the Jubilee year 2025, was officially promulgated by Pope Francis. The Jubilee year will commence with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica on December 24, 2024, and extend through January 2026. In various ceremonies, Pope Francis calls on Christians to be builders of hope. The solemn proclamation of the ordinary Jubilee of the year 2025, which took place at a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica on the evening of May 9, served as a pivotal moment.
Pope Francis's words on hope are also being disseminated through various media. He penned the introduction to the book "Prophets of Hope" by Don Tommaso Giannuzzi. This book, published by ncora Publishing House, features insights from both the Holy Father and the Bishop of Molfetta, reflecting on the virtue of hope. The launch of the Jubilee year has become a major event, with the official declaration made public. The year 2025 is now formally declared as a Year of Jubilee, as announced by Pope Francis.
During a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis formally delivered "Spes non confundit" (Hope Does Not Disappoint), his document proclaiming the Holy Year 2025. The event featured the traditional liturgical gestures, symbolizing the opening of the Holy Door. He also made reference to the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical "Spe Salvi." The central message of the Jubilee, "May the hope that does not disappoint," will be a focus throughout the Lenten journey and towards Easter.
In "Spes non confundit," Pope Francis has announced that the Jubilee year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve, 2024. Following this, the Holy Door of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome, will be opened on December 29. A specific prayer for the Jubilee year of hope has been formulated to guide the faithful. Pope Francis spoke these words on Christmas Eve 2024, opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, emphasizing the need for continuous focus on hope.
For the first ordinary Jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000, Pope Francis has chosen the theme of hope, which "does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from Gods love." This reflects the pontiff's commitment to the virtue that is integral to the Christian faith. The most recent ordinary Jubilee took place in the year 2000, as the world and the Catholic Church prepared to enter the new millennium. This reflects a significant and deeply-rooted tradition within the Catholic Church.
In a letter released on Friday, Pope Francis announced that hope would be the central theme for the upcoming 2025 Jubilee year. The Pope expressed his desire for the year to encourage greater global brotherhood, solidarity with the poor, and environmental care. This emphasis on hope is interwoven with themes of social justice and care for the environment. This announcement sets the stage for a year dedicated to fostering these important values.
Pope Francis's call to become "pilgrims of hope" continues to resonate, emphasizing the importance of kindness and hope as essential elements of the gospel. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, marking the commencement of the Catholic Church's celebration of the Jubilee Year in 2025. The emphasis on hope is a recurring theme, with Pope Francis encouraging Christians to be "messengers of hope" during the Jubilee year and to embrace "yes" to life.
In his catechesis on February 1, 2025, Mary Magdalene, Pope Francis highlighted the power of "To hope is to turn around". The bull with which Pope Francis proclaimed the Jubilee year 2025 is dedicated to the theme of hope. This virtue is important for everyone whatever their circumstances, particularly where life is threatened. The Holy Year, which will begin on December 24, 2024, marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025. It will be an ordinary Holy Year, in accordance with the tradition of the Church to celebrate such a year every 25 years, to give every generation a chance to experience that special time of grace and mercy in their life.
The Pope has the authority to proclaim extraordinary Holy Years, as he did in 2016 with the Year of Mercy. A Holy Year is a time for pilgrimage, prayer, repentance, and acts of mercy, echoing the Old Testament tradition of a Jubilee Year. This is a time of rest, forgiveness, and renewal. The theme chosen for the Holy Year 2025 is "pilgrims of hope," which began on December 24, 2024, and will extend through January 2026. The opening of the Holy Door on Christmas Day, 2024, marked the start of the Holy Year 2025.
Pope Francis continues to embody and champion the theme of hope, as evidenced in his document, "Spes non confundit," and during ceremonies at St. Peter's Basilica. His focus consistently underscores the importance of hope in navigating life's journey.
