SPES NON CONFUNDIT (9.5.

24)
BULL OF INDICTION OF THE ORDINARY JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025
TO ALL WHO READ THIS LETTER MAY HOPE FILL YOUR HEARTS
1. SPES NON CONFUNDIT. “Hope does not Before him lay a great challenge, which he took up
disappoint” (Rom 5:5). In the spirit of hope, the for the sake of preaching the Gospel, which knows
Apostle Paul addressed these words of no barriers or confines. The Church of Rome was
encouragement to the Christian community of not founded by Paul, yet he felt impelled to hasten
Rome. Hope is also the central message of the there in order to bring to everyone the Gospel of
coming Jubilee that, in accordance with an ancient Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, a
tradition, the Pope proclaims every twenty-five message of hope that fulfils the ancient promises,
years. My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of leads to glory and, grounded in love, does not
hope who will travel to Rome in order to disappoint.
experience the Holy Year and to all those others 3. Hope is born of love and based on the love
who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the
Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local cross: “For if while we were enemies, we were
Churches. For everyone, may the Jubilee be a reconciled to God through the death of his Son,
moment of genuine, personal encounter with the much more surely, having been reconciled, will we
Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our be saved by his life” (Rom 5:19). That life
salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim becomes manifest in our own life of faith, which
always, everywhere and to all as “our hope” (1 begins with Baptism, develops in openness to
Tim 1:1). God’s grace and is enlivened by a hope constantly
Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of renewed and confirmed by the working of the Holy
each person, hope dwells as the desire and Spirit.
expectation of good things to come, despite our not By his perennial presence in the life of the pilgrim
knowing what the future may bring. Even so, Church, the Holy Spirit illumines all believers with
uncertainty about the future may at times give rise the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like
to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our
to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from lives. Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint
firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing
come across people who are discouraged, and no one may ever separate us from God’s love:
pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For Hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be nakedness, or peril or the sword? No, in all these
renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons things we are more than conquerors through him
for that hope. Taking it as our guide, let us return who loved us. For I am convinced that neither
to the message that the Apostle Paul wished to death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
communicate to the Christians of Rome. present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height,
A word of hope nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ
2. “Since we are justified through faith, we have
Jesus our Lord” ( Rom 8:35.37-39). Here we see
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
the reason why this hope perseveres in the midst of
through whom we have obtained access to this
trials: founded on faith and nurtured by charity, it
grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope
enables us to press forward in life. As Saint
of sharing in the glory of God… Hope does not
Augustine observes: “Whatever our state of life,
disappoint, because God’s love has been poured
we cannot live without these three dispositions of
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has
the soul, namely, to believe, to hope and to
been given to us” (Rom 5:1-2.5). In this passage,
love”. [1]
Saint Paul gives us much to reflect upon. We know
that the Letter to the Romans marked a decisive 4. Saint Paul is a realist. He knows that life has its
turning point in his work of evangelization. Until joys and sorrows, that love is tested amid trials,
then, he had carried out his activity in the eastern and that hope can falter in the face of suffering.
part of the Empire, but now he turns to Rome and Even so, he can write: “We boast in our sufferings,
all that Rome meant in the eyes of the world. knowing that suffering produces endurance, and

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endurance produces character, and character We are reminded, for example, of the great
produces hope” (Rom 5:3-4). For the Apostle, “Pardon” that Saint Celestine V granted to all those
trials and tribulations mark the lives of those who who visited the Basilica of Santa Maria di
preach the Gospel amid incomprehension and Collemaggio in Aquila on the 28th and 29th days
persecution (cf. 2 Cor 6:3-10). Yet in those very of August 1294, six years before Pope Boniface
contexts, beyond the darkness we glimpse a light: VIII instituted the Holy Year. The Church was
we come to realize that evangelization is sustained already experiencing the grace of the Jubilee as an
by the power flowing from Christ’s cross and outpouring of divine mercy. Even earlier, in 1216,
resurrection. In this way, we learn to practise a Pope Honorius III granted the plea of Saint Francis
virtue closely linked to hope, namely patience. In for an indulgence for all those visiting the
our fast-paced world, we are used to wanting Porziuncola on the first two days of August. The
everything now. We no longer have time simply to same can be said of the pilgrimage to Santiago de
be with others; even families find it hard to get Compostela: in 1222, Pope Callistus II allowed the
together and enjoy one another’s company. Jubilee to be celebrated there whenever the Feast
Patience has been put to flight by frenetic haste, of the Apostle James fell on a Sunday. It is good
and this has proved detrimental, since it leads to that such “dispersed” celebrations of the Jubilee
impatience, anxiety and even gratuitous violence, continue, so that the power of God’s forgiveness
resulting in more unhappiness and self-centredness. can support and accompany communities and
individuals on their pilgrim way.
Nor is there much place for patience in this age of
the Internet, as space and time yield to an ever- Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of
present “now”. Were we still able to contemplate every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is
creation with a sense of awe, we might better traditionally associated with our human quest for
understand the importance of patience. We could meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid
appreciate the changes of the seasons and their for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and
harvests, observe the life of animals and their simplicity of life. In the coming year, pilgrims of
cycles of growth, and enjoy the clarity of vision of hope will surely travel the ancient and more
Saint Francis. In his Canticle of the Creatures, modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to
written exactly eight hundred years ago, Francis the full. In Rome itself, along with the usual visits
saw all creation as a great family and could call the to the catacombs and the Seven Churches, other
sun his “brother” and the moon his “sister”. [2] A itineraries of faith will be proposed. Journeying
renewed appreciation of the value of patience from one country to another as if borders no longer
could only prove beneficial for ourselves and for mattered, and passing from one city to another in
others. Saint Paul often speaks of patience in the contemplating the beauty of creation and
context of our need for perseverance and confident masterpieces of art, we learn to treasure the
trust in God’s promises. Yet, before all else, he richness of different experiences and cultures, and
testifies to God’s own patience, as “the God of all are inspired to lift up that beauty, in prayer, to God,
patience and encouragement” ( Rom 15:5). in thanksgiving for his wondrous works. The
Patience, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Jubilee Churches along the pilgrimage routes and
sustains our hope and strengthens it as a virtue and in the city of Rome can serve as oases of
a way of life. May we learn to pray frequently for spirituality and places of rest on the pilgrimage of
the grace of patience, which is both the daughter of faith, where we can drink from the wellsprings of
hope and at the same time its firm foundation. hope, above all by approaching the sacrament of
Reconciliation, the essential starting-point of any
A journey of hope
true journey of conversion. In the particular
5. This interplay of hope and patience makes us see Churches, special care should be taken to prepare
clearly that the Christian life is a journey calling priests and the faithful to celebrate the sacrament
for moments of greater intensity to encourage and of Confession and to make it readily available in its
sustain hope as the constant companion that guides individual form.
our steps towards the goal of our encounter with
In a particular way, I would like to invite the
the Lord Jesus. I like to think that the proclamation
faithful of the Eastern Churches, particularly those
of the first Jubilee, in the year 1300, was preceded
already in full communion with the Successor of
by a journey of grace inspired by popular
Peter, to take part in this pilgrimage. They have
spirituality. How can we fail to recall the various
suffered greatly, often even unto death, for their
ways by which the grace of forgiveness had been
fidelity to Christ and the Church, and so they
poured out upon God’s holy and faithful People?
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should feel themselves especially welcome in this Doors will be closed on Sunday, 28 December
City of Rome that is also their Mother and 2025.
cherishes so many memories of their presence. The I further decree that on Sunday, 29 December
Catholic Church, enriched by their ancient liturgies 2024, in every cathedral and co-cathedral, diocesan
and the theology and spirituality of their Fathers, bishops are to celebrate Holy Mass as the solemn
monks and theologians, wants to give symbolic opening of the Jubilee Year, using the ritual
expression to its embrace of them and their indications that will be provided for that occasion.
Orthodox brothers and sisters in these times when For celebrations in co-cathedrals, the bishop’s
they endure their own Way of the Cross, often place can be taken by a suitably designated
forced by violence and instability to leave their delegate. A pilgrimage that sets out from a church
homelands, their holy lands, for safer places. For chosen for the collectio and then proceeds to the
them, the hope born of the knowledge that they are cathedral can serve to symbolize the journey of
loved by the Church, which does not abandon them hope that, illumined by the word of God, unites all
but follows them wherever they go, will make the the faithful. In the course of this pilgrimage,
symbolism of the Jubilee all the more powerful. passages from the present Document can be read,
6. The Holy Year of 2025 is itself in continuity along with the announcement of the Jubilee
with preceding celebrations of grace. In the last Indulgence to be gained in accordance with the
Ordinary Jubilee, we crossed the threshold of two prescriptions found in the ritual indications
millennia from the birth of Jesus Christ. Then, on mentioned above. The Holy Year will conclude in
13 March 2015, I proclaimed an Extraordinary the particular Churches on Sunday, 28 December
Jubilee for the sake of making known and 2025; in the course of the year, every effort should
encouraging an encounter with the “merciful face be made to enable the People of God to participate
of God”, [3] the core message of the Gospel for fully in its proclamation of hope in God’s grace
every man and woman of every time and place. and in the signs that attest to its efficacy.
Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when The Ordinary Jubilee will conclude with the
once more the Holy Door will be flung open to closing of the Holy Door in the Papal Basilica of
invite everyone to an intense experience of the love Saint Peter in the Vatican on 6 January 2026, the
of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. During the
salvation in Christ. The Holy Year will also guide Holy Year, may the light of Christian hope
our steps towards yet another fundamental illumine every man and woman, as a message of
celebration for all Christians: 2033 will mark the God’s love addressed to all! And may the Church
two thousandth anniversary of the redemption won bear faithful witness to this message in every part
by the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord of the world!
Jesus. We are about to make a pilgrimage marked
by great events, in which the grace of God Signs of hope
precedes and accompanies his people as they press 7. In addition to finding hope in God’s grace, we
forward firm in faith, active in charity and steadfast are also called to discover hope in the signs of the
in hope (cf. 1 Thess 1:3) . times that the Lord gives us. As the Second Vatican
Sustained by this great tradition, and certain that Council observed: “In every age, the Church has
the Jubilee Year will be for the entire Church a the responsibility of reading the signs of the times
lively experience of grace and hope, I hereby and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. In
decree that the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint this way, in language adapted to every generation,
Peter in the Vatican will be opened on 24 she can respond to people’s persistent questions
December 2024, thus inaugurating the Ordinary about the meaning of this present life and of the
Jubilee. On the following Sunday, 29 December life to come, and how one is related to the
2024, I will open the Holy Door of my cathedral, other”. [4] We need to recognize the immense
Saint John Lateran, which on 9 November this year goodness present in our world, lest we be tempted
will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of its to think ourselves overwhelmed by evil and
dedication. Then, on 1 January 2025, the Solemnity violence. The signs of the times, which include the
of Mary, Mother of God, the Holy Door of the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major will be opened. presence, ought to become signs of hope.
Finally, Sunday, 5 January 2025, will mark the 8. The first sign of hope should be the desire
opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of for peace in our world, which once more finds
Saint Paul Outside the Walls. These last three Holy itself immersed in the tragedy of war. Heedless of
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the horrors of the past, humanity is confronting yet fulfilment in material realities alone. This leads to
another ordeal, as many peoples are prey to a narrow individualism and the loss of hope; it
brutality and violence. What does the future hold gives rise to a sadness that lodges in the heart and
for those peoples, who have already endured so brings forth fruits of discontent and intolerance.
much? How is it possible that their desperate plea 10. During the Holy Year, we are called to be
for help is not motivating world leaders to resolve tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and
the numerous regional conflicts in view of their sisters who experience hardships of any kind. I
possible consequences at the global level? Is it too think of prisoners who, deprived of their freedom,
much to dream that arms can fall silent and cease daily feel the harshness of detention and its
to rain down destruction and death? May the restrictions, lack of affection and, in more than a
Jubilee remind us that those who are peacemakers few cases, lack of respect for their persons. I
will be called “children of God” (Mt 5:9). The propose that in this Jubilee Year governments
need for peace challenges us all, and demands that undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope; forms
concrete steps be taken. May diplomacy be tireless of amnesty or pardon meant to help individuals
in its commitment to seek, with courage and regain confidence in themselves and in society; and
creativity, every opportunity to undertake programmes of reintegration in the community,
negotiations aimed at a lasting peace. including a concrete commitment to respect for
9. Looking to the future with hope also entails law.
having enthusiasm for life and a readiness to share This is an ancient appeal, one drawn from the word
it. Sadly, in many situations this is lacking. A first of God, whose wisdom remains ever timely. It calls
effect of this is the loss of the desire to transmit for acts of clemency and liberation that enable new
life. A number of countries are experiencing an beginnings: “You shall hallow the fiftieth year and
alarming decline in the birthrate as a result of you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all
today’s frenetic pace, fears about the future, the its inhabitants” ( Lev 25:10). This institution of the
lack of job security and adequate social policies, Mosaic law was later taken up by the prophet
and social models whose agenda is dictated by the Isaiah: “The Lord has sent me to bring good news
quest for profit rather than concern for to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to
relationships. In certain quarters, the tendency “to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the
blame population growth, instead of extreme and prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s
selective consumerism on the part of some, is one favour” ( Is 61:1-2). Jesus made those words his
way of refusing to face the [real] issues”. [5] own at the beginning of his ministry, presenting
Openness to life and responsible parenthood is the himself as the fulfilment of the “year of the Lord’s
design that the Creator has implanted in the hearts favour” (cf. Lk 4:18-19). In every part of the
and bodies of men and women, a mission that the world, believers, and their Pastors in particular,
Lord has entrusted to spouses and to their love. It is should be one in demanding dignified conditions
urgent that responsible legislation on the part of for those in prison, respect for their human rights
states be accompanied by the firm support of and above all the abolition of the death penalty, a
communities of believers and the entire civil provision at odds with Christian faith and one that
community in all its components. For the desire of eliminates all hope of forgiveness and
young people to give birth to new sons and rehabilitation. [6] In order to offer prisoners a
daughters as a sign of the fruitfulness of their love concrete sign of closeness, I would myself like to
ensures a future for every society. This is a matter open a Holy Door in a prison, as a sign inviting
of hope: it is born of hope and it generates hope. prisoners to look to the future with hope and a
renewed sense of confidence.
Consequently, the Christian community should be
at the forefront in pointing out the need for a social 11. Signs of hope should also be shown to the sick,
covenant to support and foster hope, one that is at home or in hospital. Their sufferings can be
inclusive and not ideological, working for a future allayed by the closeness and affection of those who
filled with the laughter of babies and children, in visit them. Works of mercy are also works of hope
order to fill the empty cradles in so many parts of that give rise to immense gratitude. Gratitude
our world. All of us, however, need to recover the should likewise be shown to all those healthcare
joy of living, since men and women, created in the workers who, often in precarious conditions, carry
image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26), cannot out their mission with constant care and concern
rest content with getting along one day at a time, for the sick and for those who are most vulnerable.
settling for the here and now and seeking
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Inclusive attention should also be given to all those in our hearts: “I was a stranger and you welcomed
in particularly difficult situations, who experience me” for “just as you did it to one of the least of
their own weaknesses and limitations, especially these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me”
those affected by illnesses or disabilities that (Mt 25:35.40).
severely restrict their personal independence and 14. The elderly, who frequently feel lonely and
freedom. Care given to them is a hymn to human abandoned, also deserve signs of hope. Esteem for
dignity, a song of hope that calls for the choral the treasure that they are, their life experiences,
participation of society as a whole. their accumulated wisdom and the contribution that
12. Signs of hope are also needed by those who are they can still make, is incumbent on the Christian
the very embodiment of hope, namely, the young. community and civil society, which are called to
Sadly, they often see their dreams and aspirations cooperate in strengthening the covenant between
frustrated. We must not disappoint them, for the generations.
future depends on their enthusiasm. It is gratifying Here I would also mention grandparents, who
to see the energy they demonstrate, for example, by represent the passing on of faith and wisdom to the
rolling up their sleeves and volunteering to help younger generation. May they find support in the
when disasters strike and people are in need. Yet it gratitude of their children and the love of their
is sad to see young people who are without hope, grandchildren, who discover in them their roots
who face an uncertain and unpromising future, who and a source of understanding and encouragement.
lack employment or job security, or realistic
prospects after finishing school. Without the hope 15. I ask with all my heart that hope be granted to
that their dreams can come true, they will the billions of the poor, who often lack the
inevitably grow discouraged and listless. Escaping essentials of life. Before the constant tide of new
into drugs, risk-taking and the pursuit of forms of impoverishment, we can easily grow
momentary pleasure does greater harm to them in inured and resigned. Yet we must not close our
particular, since it closes them to life’s beauty and eyes to the dramatic situations that we now
richness, and can lead to depression and even self- encounter all around us, not only in certain parts of
destructive actions. For this reason, the Jubilee the world. Each day we meet people who are poor
should inspire the Church to make greater efforts to or impoverished; they may even be our next-door
reach out to them. With renewed passion, let us neighbours. Often they are homeless or lack
demonstrate care and concern for adolescents, sufficient food for the day. They suffer from
students and young couples, the rising generation. exclusion and indifference on the part of many. It
Let us draw close to the young, for they are the joy is scandalous that in a world possessed of immense
and hope of the Church and of the world! resources, destined largely to producing weapons,
the poor continue to be “the majority of the
13. Signs of hope should also be present planet’s population, billions of people. These days
for migrants who leave their homelands behind in they are mentioned in international political and
search of a better life for themselves and for their economic discussions, but one often has the
families. Their expectations must not be frustrated impression that their problems are brought up as an
by prejudice and rejection. A spirit of welcome, afterthought, a question which gets added almost
which embraces everyone with respect for his or out of duty or in a tangential way, if not treated
her dignity, should be accompanied by a sense of merely as collateral damage. Indeed, when all is
responsibility, lest anyone be denied the right to a said and done, they frequently remain at the bottom
dignified existence. Exiles, displaced persons and of the pile”. [7] Let us not forget: the poor are
refugees, whom international tensions force to almost always the victims, not the ones to blame.
emigrate in order to avoid war, violence and
discrimination, ought to be guaranteed security and Appeals for hope
access to employment and education, the means 16. Echoing the age-old message of the prophets,
they need to find their place in a new social the Jubilee reminds us that the goods of the
context. earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for
May the Christian community always be prepared everyone. The rich must be generous and not avert
to defend the rights of those who are most their eyes from the faces of their brothers and
vulnerable, opening wide its doors to welcome sisters in need. Here I think especially of those who
them, lest anyone ever be robbed of the hope of a lack water and food: hunger is a scandal, an open
better future. May the Lord’s words in the great wound on the body of our humanity, and it
parable of the Last Judgement always find an echo summons all of us to a serious examination of
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conscience. I renew my appeal that “with the behest of the Emperor Constantine; their first
money spent on weapons and other military meeting took place in the Imperial Palace on 20
expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can May 325. After various debates, by the grace of the
finally put an end to hunger and favour Spirit they unanimously approved the Creed that
development in the most impoverished countries, we still recite each Sunday at the celebration of the
so that their citizens will not resort to violent or Eucharist. The Council Fathers chose to begin that
illusory situations, or have to leave their countries Creed by using for the first time the expression
in order to seek a more dignified life”. [8] “ We believe”, [10] as a sign that all the Churches
were in communion and that all Christians
Another heartfelt appeal that I would make in light
professed the same faith.
of the coming Jubilee is directed to the more
affluent nations. I ask that they acknowledge the The Council of Nicaea was a milestone in the
gravity of so many of their past decisions and Church’s history. The celebration of its anniversary
determine to forgive the debts of countries that will invites Christians to join in a hymn of praise and
never be able to repay them. More than a question thanksgiving to the Blessed Trinity and in
of generosity, this is a matter of justice. It is made particular to Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
all the more serious today by a new form of “consubstantial with the Father”, [11] who
injustice which we increasingly recognize, namely, revealed to us that mystery of love. At the same
that “a true ‘ecological debt’ exists, particularly time, Nicaea represents a summons to all Churches
between the global North and South, connected to and Ecclesial Communities to persevere on the
commercial imbalances with effects on the path to visible unity and in the quest of fitting ways
environment and the disproportionate use of to respond fully to the prayer of Jesus “that they
natural resources by certain countries over long may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am
periods of time”. [9] As sacred Scripture teaches, in you, may they also be in us, so that the world
the earth is the Lord’s and all of us dwell in it as may believe that you have sent me” ( Jn 17:21).
“aliens and tenants” ( Lev 25:23). If we really wish The Council of Nicaea also discussed the date of
to prepare a path to peace in our world, let us Easter. To this day, different approaches to this
commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes question prevent celebrating the fundamental event
of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts, of our faith on the same day. Providentially, a
and feeding the hungry. common celebration will take place in the year
17. The coming Jubilee Year will also coincide 2025. May this serve as an appeal to all Christians,
with a significant date for all Christians, East and West, to take a decisive step forward
namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration towards unity around a common date for Easter.
of the first great Ecumenical Council, that of We do well to remind ourselves that many people,
Nicaea. It is worth noting that, from apostolic unaware of the controversies of the past, fail to
times, bishops have gathered on various occasions understand how divisions in this regard can
in order to discuss doctrinal questions and continue to exist.
disciplinary matters. In the first centuries of Anchored in hope
Christianity, synods frequently took place in both
East and West, showing the importance of ensuring 18. Hope, together with faith and charity, makes up
the unity of God’s People and the faithful the triptych of the “theological virtues” that
proclamation of the Gospel. The Jubilee can serve express the heart of the Christian life (cf. 1
as an important occasion for giving concrete Cor 13:13; 1 Thess 1:3). In their inseparable unity,
expression to this form of synodality, which the hope is the virtue that, so to speak, gives inward
Christian community today considers increasingly direction and purpose to the life of believers. For
necessary for responding to the urgent need for this reason, the Apostle Paul encourages us to
evangelization. All the baptized, with their “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and
respective charisms and ministries, are co- persevere in prayer” (Rom 12:12). Surely we need
responsible for ensuring that manifold signs of to “abound in hope” (cf. Rom 15:13), so that we
hope bear witness to God’s presence in the world. may bear credible and attractive witness to the faith
and love that dwell in our hearts; that our faith may
The Council of Nicaea sought to preserve the be joyful and our charity enthusiastic; and that each
Church’s unity, which was seriously threatened by of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture
the denial of the full divinity of Jesus Christ and of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed,
hence his consubstantiality with the Father. Some in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these
three hundred bishops took part, convoked at the
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can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of the Jubilee, on how that mystery has been
of hope. Yet what is the basis of our hope? To understood from the earliest centuries of the
understand this, let us stop and reflect on “the Church’s life. An example would be the tradition
reasons for our hope” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). of building baptismal fonts in the shape of an
octagon, as seen in many ancient baptisteries, like
19. “I believe in life everlasting”. [12] So our faith
that of Saint John Lateran in Rome. This was
professes. Christian hope finds in these words an
intended to symbolize that Baptism is the dawn of
essential foundation. For hope is “that theological
the “eighth day”, the day of the resurrection, a day
virtue by which we desire… eternal life as our
that transcends the normal, weekly passage of time,
happiness”. [13] The Second Vatican Council says
opening it to the dimension of eternity and to life
of hope that, “when people are deprived of this
everlasting: the goal to which we tend on our
divine support, and lack hope in eternal life, their
earthly pilgrimage (cf. Rom 6:22).
dignity is deeply impaired, as may so often be seen
today. The problems of life and death, of guilt and The most convincing testimony to this hope is
suffering, remain unsolved, so that people are provided by the martyrs. Steadfast in their faith in
frequently thrown into despair”. [14] We, however, the risen Christ, they renounced life itself here
by virtue of the hope in which we were saved, can below, rather than betray their Lord. Martyrs, as
view the passage of time with the certainty that the confessors of the life that knows no end, are
history of humanity and our own individual history present and numerous in every age, and perhaps
are not doomed to a dead end or a dark abyss, but even more so in our own day. We need to treasure
directed to an encounter with the Lord of glory. As their testimony, in order to confirm our hope and
a result, we live our lives in expectation of his allow it to bear good fruit.
return and in the hope of living forever in him. In The martyrs, coming as they do from different
this spirit, we make our own the heartfelt prayer of Christian traditions, are also seeds of unity,
the first Christians with which sacred Scripture expressions of the ecumenism of blood. I greatly
ends: “Come, Lord Jesus!” ( Rev 22:20). hope that the Jubilee will also include ecumenical
20. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the heart celebrations as a way of highlighting the richness
of our faith and the basis of our hope. Saint Paul of the testimony of these martyrs.
states this succinctly by the use of four verbs: “I 21. What, then, will become of us after death?
handed on to you as of first importance what I in With Jesus, beyond this threshold we will find
turn had received, that Christ died for our sins in eternal life, consisting in full communion with God
accordance with the Scriptures, and that he was as we forever contemplate and share in his infinite
buried, and that he was raised on the third day in love. All that we now experience in hope, we shall
accordance with the Scriptures, and that he then see in reality. We are reminded of the words
appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve” ( 1 of Saint Augustine: “When I am one with you in all
Cor 15:3-5). Christ died, was buried, was my being, there will be no more pain and toil; my
raised and appeared. For our sake, Jesus life shall be true life, a life wholly filled by
experienced the drama of death. The Father’s love you”. [16] What will characterize this fullness of
raised him in the power of the Spirit, and made of communion? Being happy. Happiness is our
his humanity the first fruits of our eternal salvation. human vocation, a goal to which all aspire.
Christian hope consists precisely in this: that in
facing death, which appears to be the end of But what is happiness? What is the happiness that
everything, we have the certainty that, thanks to the we await and desire? Not some fleeting pleasure, a
grace of Christ imparted to us in Baptism, “life is momentary satisfaction that, once experienced,
changed, not ended”, [15] forever. Buried with keeps us longing for more, in a desperate quest that
Christ in Baptism, we receive in his resurrection leaves our hearts unsated and increasingly empty.
the gift of a new life that breaks down the walls of We aspire to a happiness that is definitively found
death, making it a passage to eternity. in the one thing that can bring us fulfilment, which
is love. Thus, we will be able to say even now: I
The reality of death, as a painful separation from am loved, therefore I exist; and I will live forever
those dearest to us, cannot be mitigated by empty in the love that does not disappoint, the love from
rhetoric. The Jubilee, however, offers us the which nothing can ever separate me. Let us listen
opportunity to appreciate anew, and with immense once more to the words of the Apostle: “I am
gratitude, the gift of the new life that we have convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
received in Baptism, a life capable of transfiguring nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,
death’s drama. It is worth reflecting, in the context
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nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything chance, for the ancients, the terms “mercy” and
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from “indulgence” were interchangeable, as expressions
the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows
(Rom 8:38-39). no bounds.
22. Another reality having to do with eternal life The sacrament of Penance assures us that God
is God’s judgement, both at the end of our wipes away our sins. We experience those
individual lives and at the end of history. Artists powerful and comforting words of the Psalm: “It is
have often attempted to portray it – here we can he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one
think of Michelangelo’s magnum opus in the of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave,
Sistine Chapel – in accordance with the theological who crowns you with love and compassion… The
vision of their times and with the aim of inspiring a Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and
sense of awe in the viewer. We should indeed rich in mercy… He does not treat us according to
prepare ourselves consciously and soberly for the our sins, nor repay us according to our faults. For
moment when our lives will be judged, but we as the heavens are high above the earth, so strong
must always do this from the standpoint of hope, is his love for those who fear him. As far as the
the theological virtue that sustains our lives and east is from the west, so far does he remove our
shields them from groundless fear. The judgement sins” (Ps 103:3-4.8.10-12). The sacrament of
of God, who is love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8.16), will surely be Reconciliation is not only a magnificent spiritual
based on love, and in particular on all that we have gift, but also a decisive, essential and fundamental
done or failed to do with regard to those in need, in step on our journey of faith. There, we allow the
whose midst Christ, the Judge himself, is present Lord to erase our sins, to heal our hearts, to raise us
(cf. Mt 25:31-46). Clearly, then, we are speaking up, to embrace us and to reveal to us his tender and
of a judgement unlike any handed down by human, compassionate countenance. There is no better way
earthly tribunals; it should be understood as a to know God than to let him reconcile us to himself
rapport of truth with the God who is love and with (cf. 2 Cor 5:20) and savour his forgiveness. Let us
oneself, within the unfathomable mystery of divine not neglect Confession, but rediscover the beauty
mercy. Sacred Scripture states: “You have taught of this sacrament of healing and joy, the beauty of
your people that the righteous must be kind, and God’s forgiveness of our sins!
you have filled your children with good hope, Still, as we know from personal experience, every
because you give repentance for sins, so that… sin “leaves its mark”. Sin has consequences, not
when we are judged, we may expect mercy” only outwardly in the effects of the wrong we do,
( Wis 12:19.22). In the words of Benedict XVI: “At but also inwardly, inasmuch as “every sin, even
the moment of judgement we experience and we venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to
absorb the overwhelming power of his love over all creatures, which must be purified either here on
the evil in the world and in ourselves. The pain of earth, or after death, in the state called
love becomes our salvation and our joy”. [17] Purgatory”. [18] In our humanity, weak and
Judgement, then, concerns the salvation in which attracted by evil, certain residual effects of sin
we hope and which Jesus has won for us by his remain. These are removed by the indulgence,
death and resurrection. It is meant to bring us to a always by the grace of Christ, who, as Saint Paul
definitive encounter with the Lord. The evil we VI wrote, “is himself our ‘indulgence’”. [19] The
have done cannot remain hidden; it needs to Apostolic Penitentiary will issue norms for
be purified in order to enable this definitive obtaining and rendering spiritually fruitful the
encounter with God’s love. Here we begin to see practice of the Jubilee indulgence.
the need of our prayers for all those who have This experience of full forgiveness cannot fail to
ended their earthly pilgrimage, our solidarity in an open our hearts and minds to the need to forgive
intercession that is effective by virtue of the others in turn. Forgiveness does not change the
communion of the saints, and the shared bond that past; it cannot change what happened in the past,
makes us one in Christ, the firstborn of all creation. yet it can allow us to change the future and to live
The Jubilee indulgence, thanks to the power of different lives, free of anger, animosity and
prayer, is intended in a particular way for those vindictiveness. Forgiveness makes possible a
who have gone before us, so that they may obtain brighter future, which enables us to look at the past
full mercy. with different eyes, now more serene, albeit still
23. Indeed, the indulgence is a way of discovering bearing the trace of past tears.
the unlimited nature of God’s mercy. Not by
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For the last Extraordinary Jubilee, I hearts in the many Marian shrines throughout the
commissioned Missionaries of Mercy, and these world, where countless pilgrims commend to the
continue to carry out an important mission. During holy Mother of God their cares, their sorrows and
the coming Jubilee, may they exercise their their hopes. During the Jubilee Year, may these
ministry by reviving hope and offering forgiveness shrines be sacred places of welcome and privileged
whenever a sinner comes to them with an open spaces for the rebirth of hope. I encourage all
heart and a penitent spirit. May they remain a pilgrims to Rome to spend time in prayer in the
source of reconciliation and an encouragement to Marian shrines of the City, in order to venerate the
look to the future with heartfelt hope inspired by Blessed Mother and to implore her protection. I am
the Father’s mercy. I encourage bishops to take confident that everyone, especially the suffering
advantage of their precious ministry, especially by and those most in need, will come to know the
sending them wherever hope is sorely tested: to closeness of Mary, the most affectionate of
prisons, hospitals, and places where people’s mothers, who never abandons her children and
dignity is violated, poverty abounds and social who, for the holy people of God, is “a sign of
decay is prevalent. In this Jubilee Year, may no certain hope and comfort”. [21]
one be deprived of the opportunity to receive 25. In our journey towards the Jubilee, let us return
God’s forgiveness and consolation. to Scripture and realize that it speaks to us in these
24. Hope finds its supreme witness in the Mother words: “May we who have taken refuge in him be
of God. In the Blessed Virgin, we see that hope is strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us.
not naive optimism but a gift of grace amid the We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of
realities of life. Like every mother, whenever Mary the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind
looked at her Son, she thought of his future. Surely the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our
she kept pondering in her heart the words spoken behalf, has entered” (Heb 6:18-20). Those words
to her in the Temple by the elderly Simeon: “This are a forceful encouragement for us never to lose
child is destined for the falling and rising of many the hope we have been given, to hold fast to that
in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed, so hope and to find in God our refuge and our
that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – strength.
and a sword will pierce your own soul too” The image of the anchor is eloquent; it helps us to
(Lk 2:34-35). At the foot of the cross, she recognize the stability and security that is ours
witnessed the passion and death of Jesus, her amid the troubled waters of this life, provided we
innocent son. Overwhelmed with grief, she entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus. The storms that
nonetheless renewed her “fiat”, never abandoning buffet us will never prevail, for we are firmly
her hope and trust in God. In this way, Mary anchored in the hope born of grace, which enables
cooperated for our sake in the fulfilment of all that us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and
her Son had foretold in announcing that he would death. This hope, which transcends life’s fleeting
have to “undergo great suffering, and be rejected pleasures and the achievement of our immediate
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and goals, makes us rise above our trials and
be killed, and after three days rise again” difficulties, and inspires us to keep pressing
(Mk 8:31). In the travail of that sorrow, offered in forward, never losing sight of the grandeur of the
love, Mary became our Mother, the Mother of heavenly goal to which we have been called.
Hope. It is not by chance that popular piety
continues to invoke the Blessed Virgin as Stella The coming Jubilee will thus be a Holy Year
Maris, a title that bespeaks the sure hope that, amid marked by the hope that does not fade, our hope in
the tempests of this life, the Mother of God comes God. May it help us to recover the confident trust
to our aid, sustains us and encourages us to that we require, in the Church and in society, in our
persevere in hope and trust. interpersonal relationships, in international
relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity
In this regard, I would note that the Shrine of Our of all persons and respect for God’s gift of
Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is preparing to creation. May the witness of believers be for our
celebrate, in 2031, the fifth centenary of Our world a leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of
Lady’s first apparition. Through Juan Diego, the new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13),
Mother of God brought a revolutionary message of where men and women will dwell in justice and
hope that she continues to bring to every pilgrim harmony, in joyful expectation of the fulfilment of
and all the faithful: “Am I not here, who am your the Lord’s promises.
Mother?” [20] That message continues to touch
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Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through [8] Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, 262.
our witness, may hope spread to all those who [9] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 51.
anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives
say to them in so many words: “Hope in the Lord! [10] Nicene Creed: H. DENZINGER-A.
Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” SCHÖNMETZER, Enchiridion symbolorum
(Ps 27:14). May the power of hope fill our days, as definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et
we await with confidence the coming of the Lord morum, 125.
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and [11] Ibid.
forever.
[12] Apostles’ Creed: H. DENZINGER-A.
Given in Rome, at Saint John Lateran, on 9 May, SCHÖNMETZER, Enchiridion symbolorum
the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et
Christ, in the year 2024, the twelfth of my morum, 30.
Pontificate.
[13] Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1817.
FRANCIS
[14] Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 21.
_____________________________________
[15] ROMAN MISSAL , Preface I for the Dead.
[1] Serm. 198 augm. 2.
[16] Confessions, X, 28.
[2] Cf. Fonti Francescane, No. 263, 6.10.
[17] Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi, 47.
[3] Cf. Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary
Jubilee of Mercy Misericordiae Vultus, 1-3. [18] Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1472.
[4] Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 4. [19] Apostolic Letter Apostolorum Limina, 23 May
1974, II.
[5] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 50.
[20] Nican Mopohua, No. 119.
[6] Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.
2267. [21] SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen
[7] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 49 Gentium, 68.

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