Pope Leads Year-End Mass... "May Hearts Be Filled with Gratitude and Hope"

Emphasis on Readiness for Adulthood in 2025

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of gratitude and hope while presiding over the year-end Mass on the 31st of last month (local time).

Pope Francis
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

On that day, Pope Francis presided over the year-end Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and said, "I hope our hearts are filled with gratitude and hope." He pointed out, "Most people have a grateful heart on the last night of the year, but often forget the essential dimension of their relationship with God and their brothers and sisters in the Church." He added, "The Virgin Mary, seeing the newborn Jesus, felt hope filled with glory, and through this, the Church learns not only gratitude but also hope."

Pope Francis also emphasized the need to prepare for the Holy Year 2025. The Holy Year, also called 'Hee-nyeon' (禧年), is a sacred year in the Catholic Church that bestows special spiritual graces upon the faithful. The regular Holy Year began in 1300 and is celebrated every 25 years.

Pope Francis stated that when the Holy Year arrives, tens of millions of believers will visit Rome, and the city must improve its basic environment for visitors and residents. He questioned, "Are we each making efforts in our own way to make this city a symbol of hope for those who live here and for visitors?" emphasizing that Rome should create a more friendly environment for the elderly and those with mobility difficulties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.