A Mission of Hope Amid the Ruins

For Pope Francis, prayer for peace in Ukraine has been a daily act of devotion. Yet, his desire to act goes beyond spiritual intercession. This Christmas, the Vatican’s envoy will deliver essential medical equipment, including a state-of-the-art mobile health clinic—a fully equipped camper capable of performing surgeries—and six ultrasound machines for hospitals devastated by conflict.

The mission embodies the pope’s vision of being a “Church that goes forth,” offering more than words to communities facing hardship. “We celebrate the birth of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to those in need,” Vatican officials said, underscoring the practical and spiritual significance of this initiative.

Walking with the Suffering

Cardinal Krajewski’s journey across Ukraine will not simply be about delivering equipment. It will be a pilgrimage of presence, as he visits communities ravaged by violence to listen, pray, and share in their struggles. His goal is to help open “the door of hope” in hearts burdened by despair and to stand as a symbol of global solidarity.

The cardinal’s itinerary will include stops in cities and villages that have borne the brunt of the ongoing conflict. In each place, he will meet with survivors, healthcare workers, and clergy, seeking to uplift their spirits and remind them that they are not forgotten.

A Gift Rooted in Compassion 

“The Vatican’s gift is not just a response to immediate needs but also a message of enduring care,” said a Vatican spokesperson. “It reflects the pope’s conviction that mercy and solidarity can transcend even the darkest circumstances.”

A Call to the Global Community

While the pope’s Christmas mission focuses on Ukraine, it carries a universal appeal. By choosing to act in such a visible and meaningful way, Pope Francis is urging the international community to prioritize peace and humanitarian efforts over division and neglect.

The post Pope Francis Extends a Hand of Compassion to Ukraine This Christmas appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Mission Against All Odds

Defying widespread caution from advisors, the Pope embarked on what many deemed a perilous journey. “Everyone advised against it,” he writes, “but I felt a deep, unshakable need to go. I wanted to visit our grandfather Abraham, the shared ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.”

The pontiff’s determination to bring a message of peace and hope to a war-torn nation was met with significant obstacles. The visit came amidst the lingering devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing security threats from extremist groups.

The Threats Unfold

Francis recounts the chilling intelligence received by the Vatican Gendarmerie upon his arrival in Baghdad. British intelligence had flagged two potential attacks: a young woman carrying explosives was reportedly heading to Mosul as a suicide bomber, while a van laden with explosives sped toward an undisclosed target.

“Even in the midst of such destruction,” he reflects, “the winds of hatred refused to cease.” Despite these threats, the Pope remained steadfast in his mission, delivering messages of reconciliation and hope to Iraq’s beleaguered communities.

The Interfaith Milestone

One of the most poignant moments of the trip was Francis’ historic meeting with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf. The encounter, years in the making, symbolized a new chapter in Christian-Muslim relations and highlighted the Pope’s vision for interfaith solidarity.

The meeting underscored the central theme of his trip: the unifying power of faith. In his autobiography, Francis emphasizes the profound significance of standing on the land of Abraham, a figure revered across religious divides.

A Sobering End

As the journey progressed, the Pope remained acutely aware of the looming danger. Upon inquiring about the attackers the following day, the Vatican security chief delivered a brief yet heavy response: “They are no longer.” Iraqi police had intercepted the suspects, neutralizing the threats in deadly confrontations.

“Even this,” Francis writes somberly, “was a poisoned fruit of war—a stark reminder of the cycles of violence that continue to plague humanity.”

A Testament to Faith and Resilience 

The Pope’s reflections on the Iraq visit capture both the hope and the heartbreak of his mission. While the trip marked significant progress in interfaith dialogue, it also laid bare the ongoing struggles faced by those in conflict zones.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope Francis reveals two attacks against him that ended with the death of perpetrators appeared first on ZENIT - English.

From Division to Fellowship

Reflecting on the historical relationship between Catholics and Methodists, Pope Francis acknowledged the significant transformation over the past six decades. “For a long time, we were strangers, even suspicious of one another,” he noted. “But today, we give thanks to God for the journey we have taken together, one that has been marked by growing knowledge, understanding, and, most importantly, mutual love.”

This shift, he emphasized, is not merely intellectual but profoundly spiritual. “Peace-building is a task of the heart,” he said, urging Christians to let Christ’s love transform their relationships. By allowing Jesus’ heart to touch their own, communities can unite their diverse perspectives and desires under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Looking Toward Nicea’s Anniversary

The Pope also pointed to the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea in 2025 as a powerful reminder of shared Christian roots. He called on all Christians to use this milestone as an opportunity to bear witness to God’s presence in the world through acts of hope and unity.

Quoting from his recent apostolic letter Spes Non Confundit, Francis reiterated the imperative of striving for visible unity: “It is an invitation to all Churches and ecclesial communities to continue the journey toward unity, never tiring of seeking ways to fully respond to Jesus’ prayer: ‘That they may all be one.’”

In a moment of humor, Francis recalled a statement by the late Orthodox theologian, Metropolitan John Zizioulas, who famously remarked that the day of Christian unity would likely arrive “the day after the Last Judgment.” Despite this playful observation, the Pope encouraged continued efforts in the here and now—praying, serving, and walking together as brothers and sisters.

Recognizing the Work of Dialogue

The Pope concluded by expressing gratitude for those involved in Catholic-Methodist dialogue. He praised the theologians and pastors serving on the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church, encouraging them to maintain their dedication to fostering understanding and unity.

A Journey of Hope and Collaboration

Pope Francis’s meeting with Methodist leaders serves as a poignant reminder of the shared mission that transcends denominational lines. By focusing on the heart of Christ as the foundation for relationships and service, the Pope reaffirmed his vision of a Church committed to building bridges, one step at a time, while keeping its sights firmly on the promise of unity.

In the words of the Pope, “As we walk this path together, let us be guided by the Spirit, always oriented toward the heart of Christ. It is there that we learn to relate well to one another and serve the Kingdom of God.”

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope Francis Emphasizes Unity and Shared Mission During Meeting with Methodists appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Beginning Between the Simple and the Solemn

Before his departure, Pope Francis offered a moving gesture when sharing a brief moment of prayer and farewell with a group of homeless people seeking refuge in the Vatican’s surroundings. Accompanied by his Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, this initial act recalled the Pontiff’s commitment with the most vulnerable, marking the tone of a visit centred on communion and human encounter.

The plane taking the Holy Father to the Island, took off in the early morning from the Rome-Fiumicino Airport destined for Ajaccio, where it landed punctually in the Napoleon Bonaparte Airport. He was received there by France’s Minister of the Interior and by young people who offered him flowers in a warm welcome ceremony, which included hymns and local songs.

A Congress to Illuminate the Mediterranean

The Pope went to the Palais des Congrès et des Expositions for the Congress’ closing session, which, since December 14, gathered delegates of different cultures and religions. In his address, the Holy Father highlighted the vital role of popular religiosity as a bridge between traditions and a means to preserve spirituality in the daily lives of the Mediterranean communities.

He made an appeal to rediscover the values that have formed civilizations throughout the Mare Nostrum, promoting a fruitful dialogue between religions, political institutions and knowledge. “Popular religiosity is the voice of the people that, through symbols and simple gestures, seeks a link with the divine. It is a light that also illumines in times of uncertainty,” he said.

Meetings and Symbols of Unity

The Holy Father’s visit was also marked by moments of prayer and recollection. In the Saint-Jean Baptistère, the Pope sprinkled the faithful with holy water from the popemobile, before going on to the emblematic statue of the Madunnuccia, Protectress of Ajaccio. Accompanied by two children who gave him a candle, the Pontiff lighted a candle there, symbolizing his prayer for unity and peace.

In the Santa Maria Asunta Cathedral, the Pope led the Angelus prayer surrounded by Bishops, priests and faithful, while a local choir intoned solemn songs. The ceremony, rich in symbolism, underscored the spiritual bond between the Pope and the Corsican communities.

A Multitudinous Mass to Close the Day

The afternoon was marked by the celebration of Holy Mass in the Place d’Austerlitz. With an estimated assistance of 15,000 people, between faithful present and those that followed the liturgy on screens in different points of the city, the Pope highlighted the importance of Advent as a time of hope and of spiritual preparation.

In his homily, he urged those present to be “bridge builders” in a world faced with divisions, stressing the role of faith as a transforming force that transcends borders. “The light of Christ invites us to break with the shadows of egoism and to open ourselves to fraternity,” he said.

A Legacy for the Mediterranean

The visit ended with a meeting between Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a gesture of mutual respect between the Church and State. Before his departure, the Holy Father signed the Book of Honour of Ajaccio’s Municipal Council, leaving a message of peace and hope for the Corsican community.

The Pope’s return to Rome closed another chapter in his mission to build bridges between cultures, religions and nations. With its Mediterranean history and rich spiritual tradition, Ajaccio became for one day the epicentre of a universal message: the importance of building a future based on respect, dialogue and shared faith.

The post Pope Francis in Ajaccio: A Meeting Between Spirituality and Dialogue in the Heart of The Mediterranean appeared first on ZENIT - English.

During the Angelus on December 8 in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father said: “Today I feel compelled to ask all of you to pray for prisoners condemned to death in the United States. Let us pray for their sentences to be commuted or changed. Let’s think of these brothers and sisters of ours and ask the Lord to save them from death.”

In 2018, Pope Francis modified a number of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, affirming the Church’s opposition to the death penalty on the basis of human dignity, which is not lost for having committed a serious crime. The new version of number 2267 of the Catechism states: “In the light of the Gospel, the Church teaches that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it attempts against the inviolability and dignity of the person,’ and works with determination for its abolition throughout the world.”

President Biden imposed a temporal moratorium on federal executions during 2021. Donald Trump has promised to annul it.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Directress of the Catholic Mobilization Network, a national Catholic organization that seeks the abolition of the death penalty in the United States, said: “We know concretely that the President who will take office at the end of January has a history of executions and has committed himself to broaden and accelerate them once again, so this is quite an urgent moment.”

Pope Francis made a special appeal for the abolition of the death penalty in the Bull of Induction of the Jubilee 2025, Holy Year whose beginning will coincide with President Biden’s last month in office. It is relevant that the celebration of a Jubilee Year has its roots in the Old Testament’s practice as a special time to reestablish appropriate relations with God and with others.

The Pontiff stressed the call to eliminate the death penalty in the context of this Jubilee Year: “In all parts of the world, believers must unite to exact worthy conditions for the imprisoned, respect for their human rights and, above all, the abolition of the death penalty, disposition that is contrary to the Christian faith and that eliminates all hope of pardon and rehabilitation.”

Vaillancourt Murphy has echoed this message: “We are approaching the historic Year of the Jubilee 2025, a biblical tradition whose history is linked to the liberation of captives, the liberation of the oppressed and the achievement of balance in society. We are in an urgent moment. It’s a historic year that can have a particular relevance for a President whose Catholic faith is something important for him. This Jubilee Year puts the accent on a time to rebalance and to commit again to justice and mercy.”

Given that the United States was one of the five countries with the most executions carried out in 2023, along with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia, Vaillancourt Murphy pointed out: “If President Biden took this step, it would have repercussions not only in the United States, but in the whole world. The Jubilee Year is the perfect moment for this Catholic President to take this historic step.”

The post Pope Intercedes with Biden for Those Sentenced to the Death Penalty. appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Jubilee Marked by Light

Pope Francis pointed out how this special pilgrimage of Saint Lucy’s remains symbolizes not only an act of faith but also a call to communion and hope. In his message, the Holy Father said that this movement of the Saint to her birthplace embodies “the mystery of a God who always takes the first step,” reminding the faithful that they are called to be “men and women of the first step” in their own life of faith.

The Saint, known as the protectress of sight and symbol of light in the midst of darkness, will return temporarily to the place where she was born and where, according to tradition, she offered her life for Christ. For Syracuse, this event is much more than a ceremonial act: it is an opportunity to renew spiritual fervor and to strengthen its ties with Venice, the city that kept her remains for centuries.

Lucy, Witness of Faith and Woman’s Dignity

In his letter, Pope Francis reflects  on the figure of Saint Lucy, not only as martyr but also as a powerful example of the unique contribution of women in the life of the Church and society. “Lucy is a woman and her holiness indicates up to what point women have their own ways of following the Lord,” wrote the Pontiff.

He recalled that since Jesus’ times, women have played a crucial role in the transmission of the faith, being bearers of a love and an intelligence that have illumined the ways of the Church. According to the Holy Father, Saint Lucy’s testimony continues to challenge any power that attempts to relegate women’s voice to invisibility and silence.

The Pope pointed out that the Saint is a vigorous symbol of dignity and vision, an invitation to Christians to look beyond the shadows of egoism and lies that destroy fraternity.

An Exchange of Gifts Between Two Cities

The translation of Saint Lucy’s remains not only unites two cities, but also becomes a tangible sign of unity and fraternity between the particular Churches of Venice and Syracuse. The Holy Fafher stressed that “there is light where there is an exchange of gifts, where a treasure is richness for others.”

This act of communion challenges the logic of confrontation and rivalry, recalling that true wealth is not found in accumulating but in sharing. Saint Lucy, whose name means “light”, becomes again a beacon for a world that urgently needs gestures of solidarity and reconciliation.

The post Pope Blesses Temporary Translation of the Remains of Saint Lucy of Venice to Syracuse in Italy appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The appointment was made by Pope Francis, following a recommendation from Father General Arturo Sosa. Fr Fones succeeds Fr Frédéric Fornos, SJ, in this role for a five-year term. He will lead a new organizational structure for the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network in line with the new Statutes approved by the Holy Father in July 2024, alongside two new deputy directors: Mrs Bettina Raed and Fr Miguel Pedro Melo SJ.

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network’s mission centers around mobilizing Catholics through prayer and action to respond to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church. It was founded in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer in a house of formation for young Jesuits. Today, it has evolved into a spiritual movement that connects millions of Catholics worldwide, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in addressing the challenges of our times.

An important part of the work of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is the Pope’s Video, an innovative communication project launched in 2016. These videos, which feature the Holy Father himself, highlight a prayer intention every month. It is officially translated into 23 languages and adapted into at least 20 more, with a reach of over 22 million people globally.

Another key initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is the Click To Pray platform, available as a mobile application and in web version in seven languages. It aims to be a simple, yet concrete tool, to aid people to pray three times daily, inspired by the Gospel. The official prayer profile of the Pope is also hosted on this platform.

This year marks a decade since the refoundation of the Apostleship of Prayer as the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. In 2014, the Apostleship of Prayer underwent a significant transformation, initiated in 2010 by the then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, who encouraged reflection and deepening of this spiritual tradition. Fr Nicolás invited Fr Fornos to Rome to lead this process of revitalization. At the time, Fr Fornos was serving as European Coordinator and had previously been the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer in France, where it was founded 180 years earlier.

Pope Francis supported this revitalization, approving the process in 2014 to emphasize that prayer is at the heart of the Church’s mission. He appointed Fr Fornos as the international director in 2016, and in 2018, he approved the Statutes that established thePope’s Worldwide Prayer Network as a Pontifical Work, emphasizing the universal character of its mission. In 2020, he erected the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to a canonical and Vatican legal entity with its headquarters in Vatican City State, for a three-year ad experimentum period. Finally, on July 1, 2024, Pope Francis approved the final Statutes of this Pontifical Work, marking a new phase in its history. The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network also includes a youth branch – the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM).

At a media reception organized on 5 December at the General Curia of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Father Fones underlined that the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is an ecclesial and universal mission. Referring to Pope Francis’ latest Encyclical Dilexit Nos, he stressed that the spirituality of the heart of Jesus is important in a world that has lost its heart, in order to transform us to build a more just and fraternal world in the face of contemporary challenges such as wars and socioeconomic inequalities. It is in line with this that thePope’s Worldwide Prayer Network proposes a spiritual itinerary called The Way of the Heart – a path of inner transformation to live out the mission of compassion the world so badly needs. It is structured in nine stages and inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is active in more than 90 countries in the world, with national and diocesan teams who disseminate and promote the prayer intentions in the local contexts using different means including magazines, booklets, drawings, songs, educational materials, activities in schools, parishes, and more. Numerous religious congregations actively support the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM) or have integrated the Apostleship of Prayer into their own charism.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post The Pope’s Global Prayer Network has a new director: this is what the network looks like and does appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Meeting Marked by Urgency and Hope

President Abbas, often referred to as Abu Mazen, met with Pope Francis in a 30-minute private audience that underscored the shared aspiration for peace in one of the world’s most conflict-ridden regions. The conversation extended to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, where Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher joined discussions on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

According to a statement from the Vatican Press Office, the dialogue emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire and the liberation of hostages in Gaza. Both parties reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and stressed the necessity of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a two-state solution. Jerusalem, envisioned as a place of unity for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, was highlighted as needing special international protection.

Gifts with Meaning

The exchange of gifts during the meeting was poignant. Alongside the icon of Saint Porphyrius—a 4th-century bishop who led the Christian community in Gaza—Abbas presented artworks commemorating Pope Francis’ 2014 visit to Bethlehem. These included a painting of the Pope at the separation wall and another portraying the Pope alongside Abbas. In return, Pope Francis gifted a bronze sculpture symbolizing fragile peace, inscribed with the words, “Peace is a fragile flower,” alongside volumes containing his annual Peace Day message and writings on the papal residence.

Abbas’ Vision for Peace

Following the audience, President Abbas described the encounter as “like meeting an old friend.” He expressed gratitude for the Pope’s consistent advocacy for Middle Eastern peace and support for Palestinian civilians. Abbas reaffirmed the critical importance of international recognition for a Palestinian state, reiterating that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace.

Reflecting on past Vatican meetings, Abbas recalled the June 9, 2014 event where he, Pope Francis, and former Israeli President Shimon Peres planted an olive tree in the Vatican Gardens as a gesture of peace. “That moment remains etched in the memory of the Palestinian people,” Abbas remarked, underscoring its historical significance. 

A Call for Pilgrimage and Peace

As the Jubilee year approaches, Pope Francis and his counterparts expressed hopes for the return of pilgrims to the Holy Land, a region yearning for stability and reconciliation. This aspiration reflects a broader vision of fostering understanding among the world’s faiths and communities, with Jerusalem as a beacon of coexistence.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post A Historic Icon and a Call for Peace: Pope Francis Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The audience was held in the Apostolic Palace at 8:30 am. It happens to be the first inter-diocesan seminary created in Spain following a meeting the Holy Father Francis had with the entire Spanish Episcopate on November 28, 2023. In the words of José Antonio Castro, the Seminary’s Rector, “the audience with the Pope is an incentive in the process we are engaged in and it will help our Seminary to continue walking in fidelity to the Gospel and the Church.”

Pope Francis opted once again to read personally the message he had prepared, which we reproduce below, and to answer the questions the seminarians freely posed to him.

* * *

Dear Brother Bishops,

Dear Formators and Seminarians of the “Apostle James” Major Inter-Diocesan Seminary

Good morning. I welcome you all who know well the footsteps of the Apostle James in Spain, and now you come as pilgrims to Rome, in the footsteps of the Apostle Peter and other faithful followers of Jesus. As they say in your land, [you are on] the right track!

I know that, since September, you have been living a new way as “Inter-Diocesan” Seminary, uniting the dioceses of Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo and Mondoñedo-Ferrol. I thank you for your availability. I encourage you to go forward with renewed fortitude and hope.

I believe the image of “pilgrimage” is appropriate to indicate the formative itinerary that you are following. As pilgrims, we first hear a call, which impels us to go out of ourselves; then we throw ourselves into the adventure and begin to walk, in the course of different moments and stages. Finally, we arrive at the goal. This also happens in the formation to the priesthood, where the objective is to become Pastors of the People of God, Pastors forged in the measure of Christ’s Heart, humble and merciful. Remember that you are not alone on the way, this is fundamental: do not be afraid to open your heart to the Lord and to let yourselves be accompanied by Him, so that He goes moulding your lives. 

Moreover, don’t forget that, on the way, you will meet many different people, sometimes you will be going through difficult moments, [with those] who are wounded and do not know God. Be for all of them witnesses of the joy of the Gospel, offering them the tenderness and consolation of the Lord, so that He will heal the blisters of the path. Do not fail to be those “yellow arrows” that, as Saint John the Baptist, point out Jesus and say to all, with his words but also and especially with his way of living: “This is the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

Dear brothers, the Holy Year 2025 is approaching, with this Jubilee grace that is given to us, let us continue walking together, as pilgrims of hope, to the heavenly homeland.

May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin look after you. And please, when you return, ask James the Apostle to intercede for me. Thank you very much.

The post See Vocation as a Pilgrimage: Pope’s Address to Spanish Seminarians appeared first on ZENIT - English.

With a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe next to the main altar, the Holy Father began the homily saying: “Looking at Mary’s image, Mary of Guadalupe pregnant, who announces the birth of the Saviour as Mother, with what tenderness she says to the Indian: “Do not be afraid. Am I not here who am your Mother?” (Nican Mopohua, 118-119). Here, Mary’s maternity is revealed. And regarding this mystery of Guadalupe, which sadly many ideologies redirect to take ideological advantage, there comes to mind three simple things, which they do to the message: the tilma, the Mother and the rose, very simple things.” 

Then, referring to the Virgin’s maternity, he said: “Mary’s maternity is engraved in that simple tilma. Mary’s maternity is shown with the beauty of the roses that the Indian finds and carries; and Mary’s maternity does the miracle of taking the faith to hearts, somewhat incredulous, of the Prelates.”

Referring to the maguey fibre cloth and the flowers, the Pontiff continued: “The tilma, the rose and the Indian: all that is said beyond this of the Guadalupan mystery is a lie, it’s to want to use it for ideologies. The Guadalupan mystery is to be venerated and to be heard in our ears. “Am I not here who am your Mother?” And that must be heard at all moments of life: the different difficult moments of life, the joyful moments of life, the daily moments of life. “Do not be afraid. Am I not here who am your Mother?” And this is the Guadalupan message, the rest are ideologies.”

Finally, the Pope said: “We go with Our Lady’s image on the Indian’s tilma, and, listening as in a ditty, which with a repetitive voice says to us: “Do not be afraid. Am I not here who am your Mother?” “So be it.”

The post The Pope, the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Ideologies that Have Instrumentalized Her appeared first on ZENIT - English.