A Need for Fraternity and Hope in This Time of Darkness

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Fifty-fourth year, number 1 (2.678) Vatican City Friday, 1 January 2021

In his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Christmas message the Pope renews his appeal to make vaccines available to all, especially to the most vulnerable A need for fraternity and hope in this time of darkness

In his Christmas message to the world Pope Francis highlighted the “various lights of hope” that are emerging despite the “darkness and uncertainty” s u r ro u n d- ing this moment in history, “marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic”. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Holy Father gave his traditional Urbi et Orbi address from the Hall of Benedictions rather than the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica. Speaking to the faithful throughout the world connected via various forms of media, he stressed the need for a fraternity that is not based on “fine words, abstract ideals or vague senti- ments”, but rather that is “grounded in genuine love”. In order to allow the hope of Christmas to illuminate the world, he said, we “cannot allow the various forms of nationalism closed in on themselves to prevent us from living as the truly human family that we are”. Nor can “radical individualism”, the law of the marketplace and patents “take precedence over the law of love and the health of humanity”. He renewed his appeal to government leaders, businesses and international bodies, to ensure that Covid-19 vaccines may be accessible to all “especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet”. Turning his gaze upon the world, the Holy Father spoke about the sick, the unemployed, women who are victims of domes- tic violence, migrants, children who suffer, and countries around the world who endure conflict and natural disasters. During his homily on Christmas eve, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that Je- THE PHOTO GRAPH sus’ birth in a “lowly manger”, is a sign for all of us. Jesus was born as an outcast, “in “This is little Allam, born 15 days ago. She lives in the old slaughterhouse with her parents. It order to tell us that every outcast is a child seems to me that there is still no electricity. She was born in circumstances not dissimilar to of God”. those of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, but instead of oxen and donkey, there are many rats and cockroaches. God help us all!”. This was the short message that Father Luke Gregory PAGES 2&3 OFM sent from Rhodes to a friend on Christmas day. He is an English Franciscan, who is also the parish priest of Kos. He has been providing assistance to refugees for many years. They come to the island mainly from Syria. That little girl in his arms today represents a hope for those he cares for, but her cries are also a cry for help. The living conditions are dramatic: 450 people, including 20 children, several of whom are sick with Covid-19. They live in shacks in Francis marks year and around the dilapidated old slaughterhouse. A cry for help that Father Luke places before us in the name of this painful and forgotten humanity. dedicated to the family

Pope Francis announced on Sunday, 27 De- cember, Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a special Year to celebrate the fifth Appeal to political leaders of South Sudan anniversary of the promulgation of Am o r i s Laetitia, and to reflect on the “ideal of conju- General Audience gal and family love” represented by the Holy Persevere in the commitment to peace Family. Beginning on 19 March 2021, the The tenderness of the special Year will continue until June 2022, when the World Meeting of Families is Pope Francis sent Christmas greetings to the Political Leaders of ments made at the Vatican in April 2019 — yours to Nativity scheduled to take place in Rome. South Sudan. The Pope was joined by Anglican Archbishop bring your country to a smooth implementation of PAGE 2 Justin Welby and by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Peace Agreement, and ours to visit South Sudan the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Reverend Martin Fair, in due course, as things return to normalcy. We have PAGE 8 in signing the Christmas message. The following is the English been glad to see the small progress you have made, To the Roman Curia text of the Letter. but know it is not enough for your people to feel the full effect of peace. When we visit, we long to bear Exchange of Christmas witness to a changed nation, governed by leaders g re e t i n g s Christmas 2020 who, in the words of the Holy Father last year, “hold Their Excellencies hands, united ... as simple citizens” to “become Fa- PAGE 4/5 The Political Leaders of South Sudan thers (and Mothers) of the Nation”. We pray, this Christmas, that you will know Angelus, 20 December Your Excellencies, greater trust among yourselves and a greater generos- In this Christmas season, we remember that our ity of service to your people. We pray you know the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world among the peace that surpasses understanding in your own A gift for those least — in a dusty stable with animals. Later, he called hearts and in the heart of your great nation (Philip- most in need those who wish to be great in his kingdom to be the pians 4:7). servant of all (Mark 10:43). PAGE 6 We remain prayerfully mindful of the commit- FRANCIS JUSTIN WELBY MARTIN FAIR page 2, number 1, Friday, 1January 2021 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO number 1, Friday, 1January 2021, page 3

Celebrating Christmas 2020

Homily for Christmas Eve Mass in the Vatican Basilica Every outcast is the Son of God

At the Christmas Eve Mass in Saint Peter’s arise. Was the Lord right in giving us portant: as he did in Bethlehem, so Basilica on Thursday evening, 24 December, so much? Is he right still to trust us? too with us, God loves to work won- Pope Francis reminded the faithful that “the Does he not overestimate us? Of ders through our poverty. He placed Son of God was born an outcast, in order to course, he overestimates us, and he the whole of our salvation in the tell us that every outcast is a child of God. does this because he is madly in love manger of a stable. He is unafraid of He came into the world as each child comes with us. He cannot help but love us. our poverty, so let us allow his mercy into the world, weak and vulnerable, so that That is the way he is, so different to transform it completely! we can learn to accept our weaknesses with from ourselves. God always loves us This is what it means to say that a tender love”. The following is the English text with a greater love than we have for son is born for us. Yet we hear that of the Holy Father’s homily. ourselves. This is his secret for enter- word “for” in another place, too. The ing our hearts. God knows that the angel proclaims to the shepherds: Tonight, the great prophecy of Isaiah only way to save us, to heal us from “This will be a sign for you: a baby ly- is fulfilled: “For to us a child is born, within, is by loving us: there is no ing in a manger”(Lk 2:12). That sign, to us a son is given”(Is 9:6). other way. He knows that we become the Child in the manger, is also a To us a son is given. We often hear it better only by accepting his unfailing sign for us, to guide us through life. said that the greatest joy in life is the love, an unchanging love that In Bethlehem, a name that means birth of a child. It is something ex- changes us. Only the love of Jesus “House of Bread”, God lies in a traordinary and it changes every- can transform our life, heal our manger, as if to remind us that, in or- thing. It brings an excitement that deepest hurts and set us free from der to live, we need him, like the makes us think nothing of weariness, the vicious circles of disappointment, bread we eat. We need to be filled discomfort and sleepless nights, for anger and constant complaint. with his free, unfailing and concrete love. fant; he does not say a word, but of- God came among us in poverty and it fills us with a great, incomparable To us a son is given. In the lowly How often instead, in our hunger for fers life. We, on the other hand, are need, to tell us that in serving the happiness. That is what Christmas manger of a darkened stable, the Son entertainment, success and worldly full of words, but often have so little to poor, we will show our love for him. is: the birth of Jesus is the “newness” of God is truly present. But this rais- pleasures, do we nourish life with say about goodness. From this night onward, as a poet that enables us to be reborn each es yet another question. Why was he food that does not satisfy and leaves To us a son is given. Parents of little wrote, “Go d’s residence is next to year and to find, in him, the strength born at night, without decent accom- us empty within! The Lord, through children know how much love and mine, his furniture is love”(EM I LY needed to face every trial. Why? Be- modation, in poverty and rejection, the prophet Isaiah, complained that, patience they require. We have to DICKINSON,Poems,XVII). cause his birth is for us —for me, for when he deserved to be born as the while the ox and the donkey know feed them, look after them, bathe To us a son is given. Jesus, you are you, for all of us, for everyone. “Fo r ” greatest of kings in the finest of their master’s crib, we, his people, do them and care for their vulnerability the Child who makes me a child. is a word that appears again and palaces? Why? To make us under- not know him, the source of our life and their needs, which are often dif- You love me as I am, not as I imag- again on this holy night: “For us a stand the immensity of his love for (cf. Is 1:2-3). It is true: in our endless ficult to understand. A child makes ine myself to be; this I know! In em- child is born”, Isaiah prophesied. our human condition: even to touch- desire for possessions, we run after us feel loved but can also teach us bracing you, the Child of the “For us is born this day a Saviour”, ing the depths of our poverty with any number of mangers filled with how to love. God was born a child in manger, I once more embrace my we repeated in the Psalm. Jesus his concrete love. The Son of God was ephemeral things, and forget the order to encourage us to care for oth- life. In welcoming you, the Bread of “gave himself for us”(Ti t 2:14), Saint born an outcast, in order to tell us manger of Bethlehem. That manger, ers. His quiet tears make us realize life, I too desire to give my life. You, Paul tells us, and in the Gospel the that every outcast is a child of God. poor in everything yet rich in love, the uselessness of our many impa- my Saviour, teach me to serve. You angel proclaims: “For to you is born He came into the world as each child teaches that true nourishment in life tient outbursts; and we have so many who did not leave me alone, help me this day a Saviour”(Lk 2:11). For me, comes into the world, weak and vul- comes from letting ourselves be of them! His disarming love reminds to comfort your brothers and sisters, for you. nerable, so that we can learn to ac- loved by God and loving others in us that our time is not to be spent in for you know that, from this night Yet what do those words —for us — cept our weaknesses with tender turn. Jesus gives us the example. He, feeling sorry for ourselves, but in forward, all are my brothers and sis- really mean? They mean that the love. And to discover something im- the Word of God, becomes an in- comforting the tears of the suffering. ters. Son of God, the one who is holy by nature, came to make us, as God’s children, holy by grace. Yes, God came into the world as a child to make us children of God. What a magnificent gift! This day, God amazes us and says to each of us: “You are amazing”. Dear sister, dear brother, never be discouraged. Are The tenderness of the Nativity helps overcome you tempted to feel you were a mis- take? God tells you, “No, you are my child!”Do you have a feeling of fail- the distance created by the pandemic ure or inadequacy, the fear that you will never emerge from the dark tun- The Pontiff renews his appeal not to reduce Christmas to a mere sentimental and consumerist festivity nel of trial? God says to you, “Have courage, I am with you”. He does Despite the distance created by the Christmas has become a uni- mas, there is no other. discovered awareness that that this not in words, but by making pandemic, “Jesus, in the Nativity versal feast, and even those Christmas invites us to re- humble and poor Child, hid- himself a child with you and for you. scene, shows us the way of tenderness who do not believe perceive the flect, on the one hand, on the den away and helpless, is God In this way, he reminds you that the to be close to each other, to be human”, appeal of this occasion. A drama of history, in which men himself, made man for us. The starting point of all rebirth is the Pope Francis said during the General Christian, however, knows that and women, wounded by sin, Second Vatican Council, in a recognition that we are children of Audience on Wednesday, 23 Decem- Christmas is a decisive event, are unceasingly in search of famous passage from the Con- God. This is the starting point for ber. The following is a translation of an eternal fire that God has truth, in search of mercy, and in stitution on the Church in the any rebirth. This is the undying the Holy Father's words, which he de- kindled in the world, and must search of redemption; and, on Modern World, tells us that heart of our hope, the incandescent livered in Italian from the Library of not be confused with ephemer- the other hand, of the good- this event concerns every one core that gives warmth and meaning the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. al things. It is important that it ness of God, who came to- of us: “For by His incarnation to our life. Underlying all our not be reduced to a merely sen- wards us to communicate to us the Son of God has united strengths and weaknesses, stronger Dear Brothers and Sisters, timental or consumerist festivi- the Truth that saves and to Himself in some fashion with than all our past hurts and failures, Good morning! ty. Last Sunday I drew atten- make us share in his friendship every man. He worked with hu- or our fears and concerns about the In this catechesis, as we ap- tion to this problem, under- and his life. And this gift of man hands, He thought with a future, there is this great truth: we proach Christmas, I would like scoring that consumerism has grace: this is p u re grace, not by human mind, acted by human are beloved sons and daughters. to offer some food for thought hijacked Christmas. No: any merit of our own. There is a choice and loved Go d’s love for us does not, and nev- in preparation for the celebra- Christmas must not be reduced Holy Father who says: “But with a human er will, depend upon us. It is complete- tion of Christmas. In the Mid- to a merely sentimental or con- look this way, the other way, heart. Born of the ly free love. Tonight cannot be ex- night Mass liturgy the Angel’s sumerist feast, full of gifts and over there: seek your merit and Virgin Mary, He plained in any other way: it is purely proclamation to the shepherds good wishes but poor in Chris- you will find nothing other has truly been grace. Everything is grace. The gift is will resound: “Be not afraid; tian faith, and also poor in hu- than grace”. Everything is made one of us, completely free, unearned by any of us, for behold, I bring you good manity. Therefore, it is neces- grace, a gift of grace. And this like us in all things pure grace. Tonight, Saint Paul tells news of a great joy which will sary to curb a certain worldly gift of grace, we receive it except sin”( Pa s - us, “the grace of God has appeared” come to all the people; for to mentality, incapable of grasp- through the simplicity and hu- toral Constitution (Ti t 2:11). Nothing is more precious you is born this day in the city ing the incandescent core of manity of Christmas, and it can Gaudium et Spes, than this. General Audience of David a Saviour, who is our faith, which is this: “And remove from our hearts and 22). But Jesus was To us a son is given. The Father did Christ the Lord”(Lk 2:10-12). the Word became flesh and minds the pessimism that has born two thou- not give us a thing, an object; he In imitation of the shep- dwelt among us, full of grace spread even more nowadays as sand years ago, gave his own only-begotten Son, herds, we too move spiritually and truth; we have beheld his a result of the pandemic. We and this pertains who is all his joy. Yet if we look at towards Bethlehem, where glory, glory as of the only Son can overcome that sense of dis- to me? —Yes, it our ingratitude towards God and Mary gave birth to the Child in from the Father”(Jn 1:14). And quieting bewilderment, not let- pertains to you our injustice towards so many of our a stable, “because there was no this is the heart of Christmas; ting ourselves be overwhelmed and me, to each brothers and sisters, a doubt can place for them in the inn”(2:7). rather, it is the truth of Christ- by defeat and failure, in the re- one of us. Jesus is page 2, number 1, Friday, 1January 2021 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO number 1, Friday, 1January 2021, page 3

Celebrating Christmas 2020

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis ‘Urbi et Orbi’, 25 December We need fraternity and hope in this time of darkness

In his Urbi et Orbi Message, delivered from the Hall of unity possible, by giving us his Son Jesus. port of the international community, they Benedictions, in the Vatican, on Christmas Day, Pope The fraternity he offers us has nothing to do may not lose hope amid the difficulties they Francis emphasized that “we come from every continent, with fine words, abstract ideals or vague sen- currently face. May the Prince of Peace help from every language and culture, with our own identi- timents. It is a fraternity grounded in genuine the country’s leaders to lay aside partial inter- ties and differences, yet we are all brothers and sisters”. love, making it possible for me to encounter ests and commit themselves with seriousness, Recalling the myriad problems exacerbated by the others different from myself, feeling com- honesty and transparency to enabling worldwide pandemic, he stressed the importance of fra- passion for their sufferings, drawing near to Lebanon to undertake a process of reform ternity, compassion and hope. The following is the En- them and caring for them even though they and to persevere in its vocation of freedom glish text of his Message. do not belong to my family, my ethnic group and peaceful coexistence. or my religion. For all their differences, they May the Son of the Most High sustain the Dear Brothers and Sisters, are still my brothers and sisters. The same commitment of the international community Merry Christmas! thing is true of relationships between peoples and the countries involved to continue the I would like to bring to everyone the message and nations: brothers and sisters all! ceasefire in Nagorno–Karabakh, as well as in that the Church proclaims on this feast with At Christmas we celebrate the light of the eastern regions of Ukraine, and to foster the words of the prophet Isaiah: “To us a Christ who comes into the world; he comes dialogue as the sole path to peace and recon- child is born, to us a son is given”(Is 9:6) for everyone, not just for some. Today, in this ciliation. A child is born. A birth is always a source time of darkness and uncertainty regarding May the Divine Child alleviate the suffer- of hope; it is life that blossoms, a promise of the pandemic, various lights of hope appear, ing of the peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali and the future. Moreover, this Child, Jesus, was such as the discovery of vaccines. But for Niger, affected by a grave humanitarian crisis born “to us”: an “us”without any borders, these lights to illuminate and bring hope to caused by extremism and armed conflicts, privileges or exclusions. The Child born of all, they need to be available to all. We cannot but also by the pandemic and other natural the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem was born for allow the various forms of nationalism closed disasters. May he end the violence in everyone: he is the “son”that God has given in on themselves to prevent us from living as Ethiopia, where many people have been to the entire human family. the truly human family that we are. Nor can forced to flee because of the fighting; comfort Thanks to this Child, all of us can speak to we allow the virus of radical individualism to the inhabitants of the Cabo Delgado region God and call him “Fa t h e r ”. Jesus is the only- get the better of us and make us indifferent to in northern Mozambique, victims of the vio- begotten Son; no one but he knows the Fa- the suffering of other brothers and sisters. I lence of international terrorism; and encour- ther. Yet he came into the world for this very cannot place myself ahead of others, letting age the leaders of South Sudan, Nigeria and reason: to show us the face of the Fa t h e r. the law of the marketplace and patents take Cameroon to pursue the path of fraternity Thanks to this Child, we can all call one an- precedence over the law of love and the and dialogue they have undertaken. other brothers and sisters, for so we truly are. health of humanity. I ask everyone —govern- May the Eternal Word of the Father be a We come from every continent, from every ment leaders, businesses, international orga- source of hope for the American continent, language and culture, with our own identities nizations —to foster cooperation and not particularly affected by the coronavirus, and differences, yet we are all brothers and competition, and to seek a solution for every- which has intensified its many sufferings, fre- sisters. one: vaccines for all, especially for the most quently aggravated by the effects of corrup- At this moment in history, marked by the vulnerable and needy of all regions of the tion and drug trafficking. May he help to ease ecological crisis and grave economic and so- planet. Before all others: the most vulnerable the recent social tensions in Chile and end cial imbalances only worsened by the coron- and needy! the sufferings of the people of Venezuela. avirus pandemic, it is all the more important May the Child of Bethlehem help us, then, May the King of Heaven protect all vic- for us to acknowledge one another as broth- to be generous, supportive and helpful, espe- tims of natural disasters in Southeast Asia, es- ers and sisters. God has made this fraternal cially towards those who are vulnerable, the pecially in the Philippines and Vietnam, sick, those unemployed or experiencing where numerous storms have caused flood- hardship due to the economic effects of the ing, with devastating repercussions on fami- pandemic, and women who have suffered do- lies in terms of loss of life, harm to the envi- mestic violence during these months of lock- ronment and consequences for local down. economies. In the face of a challenge that knows no As I think of Asia, I cannot forget the Ro- one of us: God, in Jesus, is one Dear brothers and sisters, “But what is it that robots will borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in hingya people: may Jesus, who was born of us. may these brief reflections help never be able to do?”. They the same boat. Every other person is my poor among the poor, bring them hope amid This reality gives us much us to celebrate Christmas with thought about it, they made brother or my sister. In everyone, I see reflect- their sufferings. joy and courage. God did not greater awareness. But there is suggestions, but in the end ed the face of God, and in those who suffer, I Dear brothers and sisters, look down on us, from afar, he another way to prepare our- they were all in agreement see the Lord pleading for my help. I see him “To us a child is born”(Is 9:6). He came to did not pass us by, he was not selves, which I want to remind about one thing: tenderness. in the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the save us! He tells us that pain and evil are not repulsed by our misery, he did you and me, and which is with- Robots will never be capable of marginalized, the migrant and the refugee: the final word. To become resigned to vio- not clothe himself only superfi- in everyone’s reach: to contem- this. And this is what God brothers and sisters all! lence and injustice would be to reject the joy cially in a body, but rather he plate a little, in silence, before brings us, today: a wonderful On this day, when the word of God be- and hope of Christmas. fully assumed our nature and the Nativity scene. The Nativi- way in which God wanted to came a child, let us turn our gaze to the many, On this festive day, I think in a special way our human condition. He left ty display is a catechesis of this come into the world, and this all too many, children worldwide, especially of all those who refuse to let themselves be nothing out, except sin: the on- reality, of what was done that revives tenderness in us, the in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, who still pay the overcome by adversity, but instead work to ly thing he does not have. All year, that day, which we have human tenderness close to that high price of war. May their faces touch the bring hope, comfort and help to those who humanity is in him. He took all heard in the Gospel. This is of God. And today we are in consciences of all men and women of good suffer and those who are alone. that we are, just as we are. This why last year I wrote a Letter, great need of tenderness, in will, so that the causes of conflicts can be ad- Jesus was born in a stable, but was em- is essential for understanding which would be good for us to great need of a human caress, dressed and courageous efforts can be made braced by the love of the Virgin Mary and the Christian faith. Saint Au- pick up again. It is entitled “Ad - in the face of so much misery! to build a future of peace. Saint Joseph. By his birth in the flesh, the gustine, reflecting on his jour- mirabile signum”,“Enchanting If the pandemic has forced us May this be a favourable time to ease ten- Son of God consecrated familial love. My ney of conversion, writes in his image”. In the school of Saint to be more distant, Jesus, in the sions throughout the Middle East and in the thoughts at this moment turn to families: to Confessions:“For I did not hold Francis of Assisi, we can be- Nativity scene, shows us the Eastern Mediterranean. those who cannot come together today and to to my Lord Jesus Christ, I, come a little childlike by paus- way of tenderness to be close to May the Infant Jesus heal the wounds of those forced to remain at home. May Christ- humbled, to the Humble; nor ing to contemplate the scene of each other, to be human. Let us the beloved Syrian people, who for a decade mas be an opportunity for all of us to redis- knew I yet whereto His infirmi- the Nativity, and by letting the follow this path. Merry Christ- have been devastated by war and its conse- cover the family as a cradle of life and faith, a ty would guide us”(Confessions wonder of the “marvellous” mas! quences, now aggravated by the pandemic. place of acceptance and love, dialogue, for- VII, 8). And what is way in which God wanted to May he bring comfort to the Iraqi people and giveness, fraternal solidarity and shared joy, a Jesus’ “infirmity”? come into the world be reborn SPECIAL GREETINGS to all those involved in the work of reconcili- source of peace for all humanity. The “infirmity”of in us. Let us ask for the grace of I cordially greet the English- ation, and particularly to the Yazidis, sorely Merry Christmas to everyone! Jesus is a “teach- wonder: before this mystery, a speaking faithful. In these last tried by these last years of war. May he bring ing”! Because it re- reality so tender, so beautiful, days before Christmas, I in- peace to Libya and enable the new phase of After the blessing the Pope said: veals to us the love so close to our hearts, that the voke upon you and your fami- the negotiations in course to end all forms of of God. Christmas Lord may give us the grace of lies the joy and peace of the hostility in the country. Dear brothers and sisters, Merry Christ- is the feast of Love wonder, to encounter him, to Lord Jesus. God bless you! May the Babe of Bethlehem grant the gift mas once more to all of you connected by ra- incarnate, of love draw closer to him, to draw Lastly as usual my thoughts of fraternity to the land that witnessed his dio, television and other means of communi- born for us in Je- closer to us all. This will revive turn to the elderly, to young people, birth. May Israelis and Palestinians regain cation from every part of the world. I thank sus Christ. Jesus tenderness in us. The other to the sick and to newlyweds. May mutual trust and seek a just and lasting peace you for your spiritual presence on this day of Christ is the light day, while I was speaking with Mary’s complete willingness through a direct dialogue capable of ending joy. In these days, when the Christmas atmo- of mankind shin- some scientists, we spoke and Joseph’s swift generosity violence and overcoming endemic sphere invites us to become better people, ing in the dark- about artificial intelligence and be an example in welcoming grievances, and thus bear witness before the more fraternal, let us not forget to pray for ness, giving mean- robots …there are robots pro- Baby Jesus in the mystery of world to the beauty of fraternity. families and communities who live in the ing to human exis- grammed for everyone and ev- Christmas. I offer my cordial May the star that shone brightly on Christ- midst of much suffering. Please continue to tence and to the erything, and this continues to wishes for a Holy Christmas of mas night offer guidance and encouragement pray for me. Have a good Christmas lunch, whole of history. advance. And I asked them, tidings and serenity to you all. to the Lebanese people, so that, with the sup- a r r i v e d e rc i ! page 4, number 1, Friday, 1January 2021 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO number 1, Friday, 1January 2021, page 5

Exchange of Christmas Greetings with members of the Roman Curia

Francis encourages Curia to reject the logic of conflict which fuels closure, fragmentation and gossip

ear brothers and sisters, The crisis as a seed of newness and 1. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is the mystery of a birth which reminds us that “men, though they must die, are not born in order to 1 an opportunity for renewal die, but in order to begin”, as the Jewish philosopher Hannah Arendt observed in a way as strik- ing as it is incisive. Arendt invert- The reform of the Church is not a patch on an old garment or a new apostolic constitution ed the thought of her teacher Hei- degger, according to whom hu- On 27 March last, on the es- a fitting time to reflect briefly on uncertainty about whether Jesus devil, there can be no dialogue. man beings are born to be hurled planade of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the meaning of a crisis, which can was the Messiah (cf. Mt 11:2-6) be- Jesus was then to face an inde- towards death. Amid the ruins of before an empty Square that prove beneficial to us all. cause he did not come as the scribable crisis in Gethsemane: the totalitarian regimes of the nonetheless brought us together, A crisis is something that af- harsh vindicator that John was solitude, fear, anguish, the betray- twentieth century, Arendt ac- in spirit, from every corner of the fects everyone and everything. perhaps expecting (cf. Mt 3:11-12). al of Judas and abandonment by Dknowledged this luminous truth: world, I wished to pray for, and Crises are present everywhere and Yet John’s imprisonment set the his Apostles (cf. Mt 26:36-50). Fi- “The miracle that saves the world, with, everyone. I spoke clearly in every age of history, involving stage for Jesus’preaching of the nally, there was the extreme crisis the realm of human affairs, from about the potential significance of ideologies, politics, the economy, Kingdom of God (cf. Mk 1:14). on the cross: an experience of sol- its normal, ‘natural’ruin is ulti- the “storm”(cf. Mk 4:35-41) that technology, ecology and religion. Then there is the “theological” idarity with sinners even to the mately the fact of natality…It is struck our world: “The storm has A crisis is a necessary moment in crisis experienced by Paul of Tarsus. point of feeling abandoned by the this faith in and hope for the exposed our vulnerability and un- the history of individuals and so- Overwhelmed by his dramatic en- Father (cf. Mt 27:46). Yet with ut- world that found perhaps its most covered those false and superflu- ciety. It appears as an extraordi- counter with Christ on the way to ter confidence he “commended glorious and most succinct ex- ous certainties around which we nary event that always creates a Damascus (cf. Ac t s 9:1-19; Gal 1:15- his spirit into the hands of the Fa- pression in the few words with have constructed our daily sched- sense of trepidation, anxiety, up- 16), he was moved to leave every- ther”(cf. Lk 23:46). His complete which the Gospels announced ules, our projects, our habits and set and uncertainty in the face of thing behind to follow Jesus (cf. and trusting surrender opened the their ‘glad tidings’:‘A child has priorities. It has shown us how we decisions to be made. We see this Phil 3:4-10). Saint Paul was truly way to the resurrection (cf. Heb been born unto us’”.2 have allowed to become dull and in the etymological root of the one open to being changed by a 5:7). 2. Contemplating the mystery feeble the very things that nour- verb krino: a crisis is the sifting crisis. For this reason, he was to 6. Brothers and sisters, this re- of the Incarnation, before the ish, sustain and strengthen our that separates the wheat from the be the author of the crisis that led flection on crisis warns us against child lying in a manger (cf. Lk lives and our communities. The chaff after the harvest. the Church to pass beyond the judging the Church hastily on the 2:16), but also the Paschal Mys- tempest has laid bare all our The Bible itself is filled with in- borders of Israel tery, in the presence of the cruci- prepackaged ideas and our forget- dividuals who were “sifted”,“p eo- and go forth to fied one, we find our proper place fulness of what nourishes our ple in crisis”who by that very cri- the very ends of I would urge you not to confuse crisis only if we are defenceless, humble p eople’s souls; all those attempts sis played their part in the history the earth. with conflict. They are two different and unassuming. Only if we fol- to anesthetize us with ways of of salvation. We could con- low, wherever we live and work thinking and acting that suppos- The crisis of Ab ra h a m , who left tinue with this list things. Crisis generally has a positive (including the Roman Curia), the edly “save”us, but instead prove his native land (Gen 21:1-2) and of biblical figures, outcome, whereas conflict always creates incapable of putting us in touch underwent the great test of having in which each of with our roots and keeping alive to sacrifice to God his only son us could find his discord and competition. the memory of those who have (Gen 22:1-19), resulted, from a the- or her own place. gone before us. We have lost the ological standpoint, in the birth There are so many HE O LY AT H E R S ADDRESS T H F ’ antibodies we needed to confront of a new people. Yet this did not of them… basis of the crises caused by scan- adversity. In this storm, the façade spare Abraham from experiencing Yet the most eloquent crisis was dals past and present. The On Monday morning, 21 December, Pope of those stereotypes with which a dramatic situation in which con- that of Jesus. The Synoptic prophet Elijah can serve as an ex- Francis met members of the Roman Curia we camouflaged our egos, always fusion and disorientation did not Gospels point out that he began ample. Giving vent to his frustra- for the traditional exchange of Christmas worrying about our image, has get the upper hand, due to the his public life by experiencing the tions before the Lord, Elijah pre- greetings. At the end of his address, he gifted fallen away, uncovering once strength of his faith. crisis of temptation. It might sented him with a tale of hope- two books to those present: a biography of more that (blessed) common be- The crisis of Mo s e s can be seen seem that the central character in lessness: “I have been very zeal- Charles de Foucald by Pierre Sourisseau and longing, which we cannot evade: in his lack of self-confidence. this situation was the devil with ous for the Lord, the God of “Olotropia: The Words of Christian Famil- our belonging to one another as “Who am I”, he says, “that I his false promises, yet the real hosts; for the Israelites have for- iarity”by Gabriele Maria Corini. The follow- brothers and sisters”. should go to Pharaoh and bring protagonist was the Holy Spirit. saken your covenant, thrown ing is the English text of the Holy Father’s 4. Providentially, it was precise- the Israelites out of Egypt?”(Ex For he was guiding Jesus at this down your altars, and killed your a d d re s s . ly at that difficult time that I was 3:11); “I am not eloquent…I am decisive moment in his life: “Jesus prophets with the sword. I alone able to write Fratelli Tutti, the En- slow of speech and of tongue”(Ex was led by the Spirit into the am left; and they are seeking my cyclical devoted to the theme of 4:10), “a man of uncircumcised wilderness to be tempted by the life, to take it away”(1 Kings 19:14). fraternity and social friendship. lips”(Ex 6:12, 30). For this reason, devil”(Mt 4:1). Often our own assessments of ec- programme of life set forth by One lesson we learn from the he tried to evade the mission en- The Evangelists stress that the clesial life also sound like tales of Saint Paul: “Let all bitterness and Gospel accounts of Jesus’birth is trusted to him by God: “L o rd , forty days Jesus spent in the hopelessness. Yet a hopeless read- wrath and anger and clamor and that of the solidarity linking those please send someone else”(cf. Ex desert were marked by the experi- ing of reality cannot be termed re- slander be put away from you, who were present: Mary, Joseph, 4:13). Yet out of this crisis God ence of hunger and weakness (cf. alistic. Hope gives to our assess- with all malice, and be kind to the shepherds, the Magi and all was to make Moses the servant Mt 4:2; Lk 4:2). It was precisely ments an aspect that in our my- one another, tenderhearted, for- who, in one way or another, of- who would lead his people out of from the depths of this hunger opia we are often incapable of see- giving one another, as God in fered their fraternity and friend- Egypt. and weakness that the evil one ing. God replied to Elijah by Christ forgave you”(Eph 4:31-32). ship so that, amid the darkness of Elijah, the prophet whose sought to make his final move, telling him that reality was other Only if we are “clothed with hu- history, the Word made flesh (cf. strength was like that of fire (cf. taking advantage of Jesus’human than what he thought: “Go, re- mility”(cf. 1 Pet 5:5) and imitate Jn 1:14) could find a welcome. As Sir 48:1), at a moment of great cri- fatigue. Yet in that man weak turn on your way to the wilder- Jesus, who is “gentle and lowly in I stated at the beginning of the sis longed for death, but then ex- from fasting the tempter experi- ness of Damascus…Yet I will heart”(Mt 11:29). Only after we Encylical: “It is my desire that, in perienced the presence of God, enced the presence of the Son of leave seven thousand in Israel, all put ourselves “in the lowest place” this our time, by acknowledging not in a rushing wind or an earth- God who could overcome temp- the knees that have not bowed to (Lk 14:10) and become “slaves of the dignity of each human person, quake or fire, but in a “still small tation by the word of God, and Baal, and every mouth that has all”(cf. Mk 10:44). In this regard, we can contribute to the rebirth of voice”(cf. 1 Kings 19:11-12). The not his own. Jesus never enters in- not kissed him”(1 Kings 19:15, 18). Saint Ignatius, in his Spiritual Exer- a universal aspiration to fraternity. voice of God is never the tumul- to dialogue with the devil. We It was not true that Elijah was cises, even asks us to imagine our- Brotherhood between all men tuous voice of the crisis, but rather need to learn from this. There can alone; he was in crisis. selves as part of the scene before and women. ‘Here we have a the quiet voice that speaks in the be no dialogue with the devil. Je- God continues to make the the manger. “I will become”, he splendid secret that shows us how crisis. sus either casts him out or forces seeds of his kingdom grow in our writes, “a poor, lowly and unwor- to dream and to turn our life into John the Baptist was gripped by him to reveal his name. With the midst. Here in the Curia, there are thy slave, and as though present, a wonderful adventure. No one many people bearing quiet wit- gaze upon them, contemplate can face life in isolation…We ness by their work, humble and them and serve them in their need a community that supports discreet, free of idle chatter, unas- needs”(114, 2). and helps us, in which we can suming, faithful, honest and pro- I thank the Cardinal Dean for help one another to keep looking fessional. So many of you are like his Christmas greetings on behalf ahead. How important it is to that, and I thank you. Our times of all. Thank you, Cardinal Re. dream together…By ourselves, have their own problems, yet they 3. This is the Christmas of the we risk seeing mirages, things also have a living witness to the pandemic, of the health, econom- that are not there. Dreams, on the fact that the Lord has not aban- ic, social and even ecclesial crisis other hand, are built together’.3 doned his people. The only differ- that has indiscriminately struck Let us dream, then, as a single hu- ence is that problems immediately the whole world. The crisis is no man family, as fellow travelers end up in the newspapers; this longer a commonplace of conver- sharing the same flesh, as children has always been the case, whereas sations and of the intellectual es- of the same earth which is our signs of hope only make the news tablishment; it has become a real- common home, each of us bring- much later, if at all. ity experienced by everyone. ing the richness of his or her be- Those who fail to view a crisis The pandemic has been a time liefs and convictions, each of us in the light of the Gospel simply of trial and testing, but also a sig- with his or her own voice, broth- perform an autopsy on a cadaver. nificant opportunity for conver- ers and sisters all”(No. 8). They see the crisis, but not the sion and renewed authenticity. 5. The crisis of the pandemic is hope and the light brought by the page 4, number 1, Friday, 1January 2021 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO number 1, Friday, 1January 2021, page 5

Exchange of Christmas Greetings with members of the Roman Curia

Francis encourages Curia to reject the logic of conflict which fuels closure, fragmentation and gossip

Herod, to follow him amid crisis or to keep him at bay in conflict. The crisis as a seed of newness and Allow me to ask expressly of all of you, who join me in the service of the Gospel, for the Christmas gift of your generous and whole- an opportunity for renewal hearted cooperation in proclaim- ing the Good News above all to the poor (cf. Mt 11:5). Let us remember that they alone truly The reform of the Church is not a patch on an old garment or a new apostolic constitution know God who welcome the poor, who come from below in Gospel. We are troubled by crises their misery, yet as such are sent not simply because we have for- from on high. We cannot see gotten how to see them as the Go d’s face, but we can experience Gospel tells us to, but because we it in his turning towards us when- have forgotten that the Gospel is ever we show respect for our the first to put us in crisis.4 If we neighbour, for others who cry out can recover the courage and hu- to us in their need.5 For the poor, mility to admit that a time of crisis who are the centre of the Gospel. is a time of the Spirit, whenever I think of what that saintly Brazil- we are faced with the experience ian bishop used to say: “When I of darkness, weakness, vulnerabil- am concerned for the poor, they ity, contradiction and loss, we will call me a saint; but when I keep no longer feel overwhelmed. In- asking why such great poverty ex- stead, we will keep trusting that ists, they call me a communist”. things are about to take a new to enter into crisis and to let our- strive all the more, lest our frailty crisis? First, accept it as a time of Let no one willfully hinder the shape, emerging exclusively from selves be led by the Spirit at times become an obstacle to the preach- grace granted us to discern God’s work that the Lord is accomplish- the experience of a grace hidden of trial condemns us to remaining ing of the Gospel rather than a will for each of us and for the ing at this moment, and let us ask in the darkness. “For gold is test- forlorn and fruitless, or even in testimony to the immense love whole Church. We need to enter for the gift to serve in humility, so ed in the fire and those found ac- conflict. By shielding ourselves with which God, who is rich in into the apparent paradoxical no- that he can increase and we de- ceptable, in the furnace of humil- from crisis, we hinder the work of mercy, has loved us and continues tion that “when I am weak, then I crease (cf. Jn 3:30). iation”(Sir 2:5). Go d’s grace, which would mani- to love us (cf. Eph 2:4). If we cut am strong”(2 Cor 12:10). We I offer my best wishes to each 7. Finally, I would urge you not fest itself in us and through us. If God, who is rich in mercy, out of should keep in mind the reassur- and all of you, and to your fami- to confuse crisis with conflict. They a certain realism leads us to see our lives, our lives would be a lie, ing words of Saint Paul to the lies and friends. Thank you, thank are two different things. Crisis our recent history only as a series a falsehood. Corinthians: “God is faithful, and you for your work, thank you so generally has a positive outcome, of mishaps, scandals and failings, In times of crisis, Jesus warns he will not let you be tempted be- whereas conflict always creates sins and contradictions, short-cir- us against certain attempts to yond your strength, but with the discord and competition, an ap- cuits and setbacks in our witness, emerge from it that are doomed temptation will also provide the parently irreconcilable antago- we should not fear. Nor should from the start. If someone “tears a way of escape, that you may be Conflict ... is a false trail leading us astray, nism that separates others into we deny everything in ourselves piece from a new garment to put able to endure it”(1 Cor 10:13). aimless, directionless and trapped in a friends to love and enemies to and in our communities that is ev- it upon an old garment”the result It is essential not to interrupt fight. In such a situation, only idently tainted by death and calls is predictable: he will tear the our dialogue with God, however labyrinth; it is a waste of energy and an one side can win. for conversion. Everything evil, new, because “the piece from the difficult this may prove. Praying occasion for evil. Conflict always tries to find wrong, weak and unhealthy that new will not match the old”. Sim- is not easy. We must not tire of “guilty”parties to scorn and stig- comes to light serves as a forceful ilarly, “no one puts new wine into praying constantly (cf. Lk 21:36; 1 matize, and “righteous”parties to reminder of our need to die to a old wineskins; if he does, the new Th e s s 5:17). We know of no other defend, as a means of inducing an way of living, thinking and acting wine will burst the skins and it solution to the problems we are (often magical) sense that certain that does not reflect the Gospel. will be spilled, and the skins will experiencing than that of praying very much. And please, continue situations have nothing to do with Only by dying to a certain men- be destroyed. New wine must be more fervently and at the same to pray for me, so that I can have us. This loss of the sense of our tality will we be able to make put into new wineskins”(Lk 5:36- time doing everything in our the courage to remain in crisis. common belonging helps to cre- room for the newness that the 38). power with greater confidence. Happy Christmas! Thank you. ate or consolidate certain elitist Spirit constantly awakens in the The right approach, on the oth- Prayer will allow us to “hop e attitudes and “cliques”that pro- heart of the Church. The Fathers er hand, is that of the “scribe, who against all hope”(cf. Rom 4:18). [Blessing] mote narrow and partial mind- of the Church were well aware of has been trained for the kingdom 10. Dear brothers and sisters, sets that weaken the universality this, and they called it of heaven”, who “is like a house- let us maintain great peace and I forgot to tell you that I am of our mission. “In the midst of “metanoia”. holder who brings out of his trea- serenity, in the full awareness that going to give you the gift of two conflict, we lose our sense of the 8. Every crisis contains a right- sure what is new and what is old” all of us, beginning with myself, books. One is the life of Charles profound unity of reality”(Ap os- ful demand for renewal and a step (Mt 13:52). That treasure is Tradi- are only “unworthy servants”(Lk de Foucauld, a teacher of crisis, tolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudi- forward. If we really desire renew- tion, which, as Benedict XVI re- 17:10) to whom the Lord has who left us a beautiful legacy. It is um, 226). al, though, we must have the called, “is the living river that shown mercy. For this reason, it a gift I received from Father Ar- When the Church is viewed in courage to be completely open. links us to the origins, the living would be good for us to stop liv- dura, whom I thank. The other is terms of conflict —right versus left, We need to stop seeing the reform river in which the origins are ever ing in conflict and feel once more called [in Italian] “Olotropia: The progressive versus traditionalist — of the Church as putting a patch present, the great river that leads that we are journeying together, Words of Christian Familiarity”, she becomes fragmented and po- on an old garment, or simply us to the gates of eternity”(Catech- open to crisis. Journeys always in- words which help us live our life. larized, distorting and betraying drafting a new Apostolic Consti- esis, 26 April 2006). I think of the volve verbs of movement. A crisis The book was just published and her true nature. She is, on the oth- tution. The reform of the Church saying of that great German musi- is itself movement, a part of our was written by a biblical scholar er hand, a body in continual crisis, is something different. cian: “Tradition is the guarantee journey. Conflict, on the other and disciple of Cardinal Martini; precisely because she is alive. She It cannot be a matter of putting of the future, not a museum, an hand, is a false trail leading us he worked in Milan but is a priest must never become a body in con- a patch here or there, for the urn of ashes”. The “old”is the astray, aimless, directionless and of the Diocese of Albenga-Impe- flict, with winners and losers, for Church is not just an item of truth and grace we already pos- trapped in a labyrinth; it is a ria. in this way she would spread ap- Christ’s clothing, but rather his sess. The “new”are those differ- waste of energy and an occasion prehension, become more rigid Body, which embraces the whole ent aspects of the truth that we for evil. The first evil that conflict and less synodal, and impose a of history (cf. 1 Cor 12:27). We are gradually come to understand. leads us to, and which we must try uniformity far removed from the not called to change or reform the No historical form of living the to avoid, is gossip. Let us be at- richness and plurality that the Body of Christ – “Jesus Christ is Gospel can exhaust its full com- tentive to this! Talking about gos- 1The Human Condition, Chicago, Spirit has bestowed on his the same yesterday, today and for- prehension. There are those sip is not an obsession of mine; it University of Chicago Press, 1958, C h u rc h . ever”(Heb 13:8) —but we are words from the fifth century: “Ut is the denunciation of an evil that p. 246. The newness born of crisis and called to clothe that Body with a annis scilicet consolidetur, dilate- enters the Curia. Here in the 2 Ibid., p. 247. willed by the Spirit is never a new- new garment, so that it is clear tur tempore, sublimetur aetate”: Palace, there are many doors and 3 Address at the Ecumenical and Interre- ness opposed to the old, but one that the grace we possess does not that is what tradition is, and how windows, and it enters and we get ligious Meeting with Young People, that springs from the old and come from ourselves but from it grows. If we let ourselves be used to this. Gossip traps us in an Skopje, North Macedonia (7 May makes it continually fruitful. Jesus God. Indeed, “we have this trea- guided by the Holy Spirit, we will unpleasant, sad and stifling state 2019): L’Osservatore Romano, 9 May explains this process in a simple sure in earthen vessels, to show daily draw closer to “all the truth” of self-absorption. It turns crisis 2019, p. 9. and clear image: “Unless a grain that the transcendent power be- (Jn 16:13). Without the grace of into conflict. The Gospel tells us 4 “Many of his disciples, when of wheat falls into the earth and longs to God and not to us”(2 Cor the Holy Spirit, on the other that the shepherds believed the they heard it, said, ‘This is a hard dies, it remains just a single grain; 4:7). The Church is always an hand, we can even start to imag- angel’s message and set out on the saying; who can listen to it?’But but if it dies, it bears much fruit” earthen vessel, precious for what ine a “syno dal”Church that, path towards Jesus (cf. Lk 2:15-16). Jesus, knowing in himself that his (Jn 12:24). The dying of a seed is it contains and not for how it rather than being inspired by Herod, on the other hand, closed disciples murmured at it, said to ambivalent: it is both an end and looks. Later, I will have the plea- communion with the presence of his heart before the story told by them, ‘Do you take offense at the beginning of something new. sure of giving you a book, a gift of the Spirit, ends up being seen as the Magi and turned that closed- this?’” (Jn 6:60-61). Yet it was on- It can be called both “death and Father Ardura, which shows the just another democratic assembly heartedness to deceit and violence ly on the basis of that crisis that a decay”and “birth and blossom- life of one earthen vessel that radi- made up of majorities and minori- (cf. Mt 2:1-16). profession of faith could spring ing”, for the two are one. We see ated the greatness of God and the ties. Like a parliament, for exam- Each of us, whatever our place up: “Lord, to whom shall we go? an end, while at the same time, in reforms of the Church. These ple: and this is not synodality. in the Church, should ask You have the words of eternal that end a new beginning is tak- days it seems evident that the clay Only the presence of the Holy whether we want to follow Jesus life”(Jn 6:68). ing shape. of which we are made is chipped, Spirit makes the difference. with the docility of the shepherds 5Cf. E. LEVINAS,Totalité et infini, In this sense, our unwillingness damaged and cracked. We have to 9. What should we do during a or with the defensiveness of Paris, 2000, 76. page 6L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 1January 2021, number 1

ANGELUS: 20 DECEMBER

Let us not be swept up by consumerism A gift for those most in need Appeal for maritime workers and a call to visit Nativity scenes

At the Angelus on Sunday, 20 De- gressed the Law, and the pun- nations about what would vents us from doing, let us do cember, Pope Francis invited the ishment for women was terri- happen; perhaps she could something for someone who faithful to “do something for someone ble: stoning (cf. Dt 22:20-21). have set some conditions.... has less: not the umpteenth who has less ... for a person in need Certainly, the divine message Instead, she does not take her gift for ourselves and our whom no-one thinks of”. Earlier the would have filled Mary’s heart time, she does not keep God friends, but for a person in After the Angelus the Holy Father ous countries, families, parish Holy Father had reflected on the with light and strength; never- waiting, she does not delay. need whom no one thinks of! continued: groups, associations and indi- day’s passage from the Gospel of theless, she found herself How often —let us think of And another piece of advice: vidual faithful. May Christ- Luke. The following is a translation faced with a crucial decision: ourselves now —how often in order for Jesus to be born Dear brothers and sisters, mas, now close at hand, be for of the words he shared in Italian to say “yes”to God, risking our life is made up of post- in us, let us prepare our hearts, the coronavirus pandemic has each of us an occasion of inner with the faithful gathered in Saint everything, even her life, or to ponements, even the spiritual let us go to pray, let us not let caused particular distress to renewal, of prayer, of conver- Peter’s Square and those linked via decline the invitation and con- life! For example, I know it is ourselves be swept up by con- maritime workers. Many of sion, of steps forward in faith radio, television and social media. tinue along her ordinary jour- good for me to pray, but today sumerism. “Ah, I have to buy them —an estimated 400,000 and of fraternity among our- n e y. I do not have time … “tomor- presents, I must do this and worldwide —are stranded on selves. Let us look around us; Dear Brothers and Sisters, What does she do? She re- row, tomorrow, tomorrow, to- that”. That frenzy of doing ships, beyond the terms of let us look especially at those Good morning! sponds thus: “Let it be to me m o r ro w ”. We postpone things, more and more. It is their contracts, and cannot re- who are in need: a suffering On this Fourth and final Sun- according to your word”(Lk things: I will do it tomorrow. I Jesus that is important. Con- turn home. I ask the Virgin brother or sister, wherever day of Advent, the Gospel 1:38). “Let it be”(“Fiat”). But in know it is important to help sumerism is not found in the Mary, Stella Maris, to comfort they may be, a suffering proposes to us once again the the language in which the someone —yes, I must do it: I manger in Bethlehem: there is these people and all those ex- brother or sister is one of us. account of the Annunciation. Gospel is written, it is not sim- will do it tomorrow. It is the reality, poverty, love. Let us periencing difficult situations, He or she is Jesus in the “Rejoice”says the angel to ply “let it be”. The verbal ex- same chain of tomorrows ... prepare our hearts to be like and I urge governments to do manger: the one suffering is Mary, “you will conceive in pression indicates a strong de- postponing things. Today, on Mary’s: free of evil, welcom- all they can to enable them to Jesus. Let us think a little your womb and bear a son, sire; it indicates the will that the threshold of Christmas, ing, ready to receive God. return to their loved ones. about this. And may Christ- and you shall call his name Je- something happen. In other Mary invites us not to post- “Let it be to me according to your This year the organizers mas be closeness to Jesus in sus”(Lk 1:28, 31). It seems to words, Mary does not say: “If pone, to say “yes”:“Do I have w o rd ”. This is the Virgin’s last had the good idea of holding this brother and in this sister. be an announcement of pure it has to happen, let it hap- to pray? —Ye s ” —and I pray. word on this last Sunday of the “100 Nativity Scenes”ex- There, in the brother or sister joy, destined to make the Vir- pen..., if it cannot be other- “Do I have to help others? — Advent, and it is the invitation hibition under the Colonnade. in need, is the Nativity to gin happy. Who among the wise…”. It is not resignation. Ye s ”.“How shall I do it?”— I to take a genuine step towards There are many Nativity dis- which we must go in solidari- women of that time, did not She does not express a weak do it. Without putting it off. Christmas. For if the birth of plays which are really a cate- ty. This is the living Nativity dream of becoming the moth- and submissive acceptance, Every “yes”costs something; Jesus does not touch our lives chesis of the faith of the Peo- scene: the Nativity scene in er of the Messiah? But along but rather she expresses a every “yes”has its cost, but it —mine, yours, everyone’s—if ple of God. I invite you to vis- which we will truly meet the with joy, those words foretell a strong desire, a sincere desire. still costs less than what that it does not touch our lives, it it the Nativity scenes under Redeemer in the people in great trial to Mary. Why? Be- She is not passive, she is ac- courageous “yes”cost her, that slips past us in vain. In the An - the Colonnade, to understand need. Let us therefore journey cause at that time she was “b e- tive. She does not defer to prompt “yes", that “let it be to me gelus now, we too will say “let how people try to show towards the Holy Night and t ro t h e d ”(v. 27). God, she cleaves to God. She according to your word”, which your word be fulfilled in me”: May through art how Jesus was await the fulfilment of the In such cases, the Law of is a woman in love prepared to brought us salvation. Our Lady help us to say it born. The cribs under the mystery of Salvation. Moses stated that there should serve her Lord completely and What, then is the “yes”we with our lives, with our ap- Colonnade are a great catech- I wish everyone a happy be no relations or cohabita- immediately. She could have can say? Instead of complain- proach to these last days, to esis of our faith. Sunday. Please do not forget tion. Therefore, by having a asked for a little time to think ing in these difficult times prepare ourselves well for I greet you all, people of to pray for me. son, Mary would have trans- it over, or even for more expla- about what the pandemic pre- Christmas. Rome and pilgrims from vari- Enjoy your lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i !

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines

The question of the use of vaccines, this evaluation is the responsibility tion) in the procured abortion from 5. At the same time, practical rea- Faith, on 17 December 2020, examined the in general, is often at the center of of biomedical researchers and drug which these cell lines originate is, on son makes evident that vaccination is present Note and ordered its publication. controversy in the forum of public agencies. Here, our objective is only the part of those making use of the not, as a rule, a moral obligation and Rome, from the offices of the opinion. In recent months, this Con- to consider the moral aspects of the resulting vaccines, re m o t e . The moral that, therefore, it must be voluntary. Congregation for the Doctrine of gregation has received several re- use of the vaccines against Covid-19 duty to avoid such passive material In any case, from the ethical point of the Faith, on 21 December 2020, quests for guidance regarding the that have been developed from cell cooperation is not obligatory if there view, the morality of vaccination depends liturgical Memorial of Saint Peter use of vaccines against the SARS-COV- lines derived from tissues obtained is a grave danger, such as the other- not only on the duty to protect one’s own Canisius 2 virus that causes Covid-19, which, from two fetuses that were not spon- wise uncontainable spread of a seri- health, but also on the duty to pursue the in the course of research and pro- taneously aborted. ous pathological agent3 —in this common good. In the absence of other C a rd i n a l LUIS F. LADARIA,SJ duction, employed cell lines drawn 1. As the Instruction Dignitas Per- case, the pandemic spread of the means to stop or even prevent the P re f e c t from tissue obtained from two abor- sonae states, in cases where cells from SARS-COV-2 virus that causes Covid- epidemic, the common good may tions that occurred in the last centu- aborted fetuses are employed to cre- 19. It must therefore be considered recommend vaccination, especially S.E. MO N S. GIACOMO MORANDI ry. At the same time, diverse and ate cell lines for use in scientific re- that, in such a case, all vaccinations to protect the weakest and most ex- Titular Archbishop of Cerveteri sometimes conflicting pronounce- search, “there exist differing degrees recognized as clinically safe and ef- posed. Those who, however, for rea- S e c re t a r y ments in the mass media by bishops, of responsibility”1 of cooperation in fective can be used in good con- sons of conscience, refuse vaccines Catholic associations, and experts evil. For example, “in organizations science with the certain knowledge that produced with cell lines from abort- 1 CO N G R E G AT I O N FOR THE DO C- have raised questions about the where cell lines of illicit origin are the use of such vaccines does not constitute ed fetuses, must do their utmost to TRINE OF THE FAITH, Instruction morality of the use of these vac- being utilized, the responsibility of formal cooperation with the abortion f ro m avoid, by other prophylactic means Dignitas Personae (8th December cines. those who make the decision to use which the cells used in production of and appropriate behavior, becoming 2008), n. 35; AAS (100), 884. There is already an important pro- them is not the same as that of those the vaccines derive. It should be em- vehicles for the transmission of the 2 Ibid, 885. nouncement of the Pontifical Acade- who have no voice in such a deci- phasized, however, that the morally infectious agent. In particular, they 3 Cf. PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR my for Life on this issue, entitled sion”.2 licit use of these types of vaccines, in must avoid any risk to the health of LIFE,“Moral reflections on vaccines pre- “Moral reflections on vaccines pre- 2. In this sense, when ethically ir- the particular conditions that make those who cannot be vaccinated for pared from cells derived from aborted human pared from cells derived from abort- reproachable Covid-19 vaccines are it so, does not in itself constitute a medical or other reasons, and who foetuses”, 5th June 2005. ed human fetuses”(5 June 2005). not available (e.g. in countries where legitimation, even indirect, of the are the most vulnerable. 4 CO N G R E G AT I O N FOR THE DO C- Further, this Congregation expressed vaccines without ethical problems practice of abortion, and necessarily 6. Finally, there is also a moral im- TRINE OF THE FAITH, Instruct. Digni- itself on the matter with the Instruc- are not made available to physicians assumes the opposition to this prac- perative for the pharmaceutical in- tas Personae, n. 35: “When the illicit tion Dignitas Personae (September 8, and patients, or where their distribu- tice by those who make use of these dustry, governments and internation- action is endorsed by the laws which 2008, cf. nn. 34 and 35). In 2017, the tion is more difficult due to special vaccines. al organizations to ensure that vaccines, regulate healthcare and scientific re- Pontifical Academy for Life returned storage and transport conditions, or 4. In fact, the licit use of such vac- which are effective and safe from a medical search, it is necessary to distance to the topic with a Note. These doc- when various types of vaccines are cines does not and should not in any point of view, as well as ethically acceptable, oneself from the evil aspects of that uments already offer some general distributed in the same country but way imply that there is a moral en- are also accessible to the poorest countries in system in order not to give the im- directive criteria. health authorities do not allow citi- dorsement of the use of cell lines a manner that is not costly for them. The pression of a certain toleration or Since the first vaccines against zens to choose the vaccine with proceeding from aborted fetuses.4 lack of access to vaccines, otherwise, tacit acceptance of actions which are Covid-19 are already available for which to be inoculated) it is morally Both pharmaceutical companies and would become another sign of dis- gravely unjust. Any appearance of distribution and administration in acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that governmental health agencies are crimination and injustice that con- acceptance would in fact contribute various countries, this Congregation have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in therefore encouraged to produce, ap- demns poor countries to continue to the growing indifference to, if not desires to offer some indications for their research and production process. prove, distribute and offer ethically accept- living in health, economic and social the approval of, such actions in cer- clarification of this matter. We do 3. The fundamental reason for able vaccines that do not create problems of p overty.5 tain medical and political circles”. not intend to judge the safety and ef- considering the use of these vaccines conscience for either health care The Supreme Pontiff Francis, at the Au- 5 Cf. FRANCIS,Address to the members of ficacy of these vaccines, although morally licit is that the kind of coop- providers or the people to be vacci- dience granted to the undersigned Prefect of the “Banco Farmaceutico”foundation, 19 ethically relevant and necessary, as eration in evil (passive material coopera- nated. the Congregation for the Doctrine of the September 2020. number 1, Friday, 1 January 2021 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 7

Appeal of the Holy Father to the international community Let us help Lebanon emerge from conflicts and crisis

In a letter addressed to the head of the Church Lebanon, Lebanon is mentioned frequently whole world the sweet fragrance of people of Lebanon, whom I hope to in Lebanon and to the Lebanese people, Pope I am deeply troubled to see the suf- in sacred Scripture, yet surely one im- mutual respect, coexistence and plu- visit as soon as possible, and the con- Francis expressed his closeness in this time of fering and anguish that has sapped age of the Psalmist stands out: “The ralism. Yours is the identity of a peo- stant concern that has inspired the ac- suffering, and appealed to political leaders the native resilience and resourceful- righteous shall flourish like the palm ple which does not abandon its tions of my predecessors and of the and the international community to take ac- ness of the Land of the Cedars. It is tree, and grow like a cedar of homes and its heritage, the identity of Apostolic See, impels me to appeal tion and help the nation overcome the current even more painful to see you de- Lebanon” (Ps 92:13). a people which refuses to renounce once more to the international com- crisis. The following is the English text of the prived of your precious aspirations to In the Bible, the majestic cedar the dream of those who believed in munity. Let us help Lebanon to stand L e t t e r. live in peace and to continue being, symbolizes steadfastness, stability the future of a beautiful and prosper- apart from conflicts and regional ten- for our time and our world, a message and protection. The cedar symbolizes ous country. sions. Let us help Lebanon to sur- To His Beatitude of freedom and a witness to harmo- the righteous who are deeply rooted In this regard, I appeal to political mount this grave crisis and resume a Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï nious coexistence. Sharing as I do in the Lord, a sign of beauty and and religious leaders in words drawn normal existence. Patriarch of Antioch of the your joys as well as your sorrows, I prosperity, standing tall and bearing from a Pastoral Letter of Patriarch Beloved sons and daughters, in the Maronites, President of the feel deeply the gravity of your loss, es- abundant fruit even in old age. In Elias Hoyek: “You who are heads of darkness of the night, lift up your Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs pecially when I think of the many these days, Emmanuel, God-with-us, the country, judges of the earth, gaze. May the star of Bethlehem be and Bishops of Lebanon young people robbed of any hope for becomes our neighbour, walking at deputies of the people, who act on your guide and a source of encour- a better future. our side. Trust in his presence and his their behalf… are obliged, in your of- agement, so that you may come to un- I would like to address to Your Beat- On this Christmas Day, however, faithfulness. Like the cedar, draw ficial capacity and according to your derstand more fully God’s plan, and itude and, through you, to the “the people who walked in darkness deeply from the roots of your life in responsibilities, to seek the best inter- so lose neither your way nor your Lebanese people, without distinction have seen a great light” (Is 9:1): the common, so that you may once more est of the public. Your time should hop e. of community or religion, a few words light that lessens our fears and instils be a people of fraternal solidarity. not be dedicated to pursuing your of comfort and encouragement as we in each of us the sure hope that God’s Like the cedar that withstands every own gain, your action is not for your- From the Vatican, celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Je- Providence will never abandon storm, may you make the most of pre- selves, but for the state and the nation 24 December 2020 sus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Lebanon and will turn this time of sent events in order to rediscover your you represent”. Beloved sons and daughters of sadness to good. identity, which is to bring to the Lastly, my affection for the beloved

AUDIENCES Pontifical Representations, Arch- AT I C A N ULLETIN bishop Jan Romeo Pawłowski, titular V B of Sejny. Until now he has served as Thursday, 10 December delegate for the Pontifical Represen- Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, bassador of North Macedonia, on Bishop-elect Gopep, 55, was born gy. A member of the Order of Friars tations (17 Dec.). Archbishop of Agrigento, Italy, with the occasion of the presentation of in Kalin Nemel, Nigeria. He holds a Minor Capuchin, he was ordained a Archbishop Alessandro Damiano, her Letters of Credence degree in philosophy and in theolo- priest on 1 August 1992. coadjutor; and Archbishop Vincenzo Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, Pre- gy. He was ordained a priest on 31 The Holy Father accepted the resig- DICASTERIES OF THE Bertolone, S.d.P., of Catanzaro- fect of the Congregation for Bish- January 1998. nation presented by Bishop Éric Au- ROMAN CURIA Squillace, Italy ops The Holy Father appointed Fr Jean- monier from the pastoral care of the Bishop Stefano Russo, Bishop H.E. Mr Carlos Antonio Cordero Luc Garin as Bishop of Saint- Diocese of Versailles, France (17 On Wednesday, 16 December, the emeritus of Fabriano-Matelica, Italy, Suárez, Ambassador of Honduras on Claude, France. Until now he has D ec.). Holy Father appointed the following Secretary General of the Italian Epis- the occasion of the presentation of served as parish priest of Holy Trin- Cardinals as members of the Dicast- copal Conference his Letters of Credence ity parish in Lambersart (10 Dec.). eries of the Roman Curia: Bishop-elect Garin, 51, was born APOSTOLIC AD M I N I S T R AT O R 1) In the Congregation for the Friday, 11 December in La Bassée, France. He holds a li- Oriental Churches and in the Dicas- Delegations offering the Nativity CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E cence in theology, a master’s degree The Holy Father accepted the resig- tery for Communication, Cardinal display and Christmas tree for Saint in philosophy and a Diplôme nation presented by Fr Dariusz Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Pe t e r’ s Square The Holy Father accepted the resig- d’Études Approfondies (DEA) in sci- Buras, as Apostolic Administrator of Congregation for the Causes of Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, Pre- nation presented by Archbishop ence of religions and intercultural Atyrau in Kazakhstan, and appoint- Saints; fect of the Congregation for Bish- Lorenzo Piretto, O P, from the pas- phenomena. He was ordained a ed to the office of Apostolic Admin- 2) In the Congregation for Bish- ops toral care of the Metropolitan Arch- priest on 29 June 1997. istrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the ops, Cardinal Augusto Paolo Loju- diocese of Izmir, Turkey (8 Dec.). The Holy Father accepted the resig- same ecclesiastical circumscription Fr dice, Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Saturday, 12 December The Holy Father appointed as nation presented by Cardinal Peter Sakmár. Until now he has Val d’Elsa-Montalcino; Artists of the Christmas Concert Metropolitan Archbishop of Izmir Fr Crescenzio Sepe from the pastoral served as spiritual director of the in- 3) In the Congregation for the Martin Kmetec, OFM Conv. Until care of the Metropolitan Archdiocese terdiocesan seminary of Karaganda Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Monday, 14 December now he has served as Superior of the of Naples, Italy (12 Dec.). (8 Dec.). Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of H.E. Ms Zuzana Čaputová, Presi- Community of Conventuals of The Holy Father appointed Bishop Kigali; dent of the Slovak Republic, and en- Büyükdere, Istanbul (8 Dec.). Domenico Battaglia as Metropolitan 4) In the Congregation for the tourage Archbishop-elect Kmetec, 64, was Archbishop of Naples. Until now he APOSTOLIC NUNCIO Clergy, Cardinal Jose F. Advincula, born in Ptuj, Slovenia. He carried has served as Bishop of Cerreto San- Archbishop of Capiz; Cardinal Cor- Thursday, 17 December out his institutional studies in theol- n i t a - Te l e s e - S a’ Agatan t de’ Goti, Italy The Holy Father appointed Arch- nelius Sim, titular Bishop of Putia in H.E. Mr Kyu Ho Choo, Ambas- ogy and philosophy. He holds a doc- (12 Dec.). bishop Luigi Bonazzi, titular of Atel- Numidia and vicar apostolic of sador of the Republic of Korea, on torate in theology, specializing in di- Archbishop Battaglia, 57, was la as Apostolic Nuncio in Albania. B ru n e i ; the occasion of the presentation of alogue and religions. A member of born in Satriano, Italy. He was or- Until now he has served as Apostolic 5) In the Congregation for Insti- his Letters of Credence the Order of Friars Minor Conventu- dained a priest on 6 February 1988. Nuncio in Canada (10 Dec.), tutes of Consecrated Life and Soci- Cardinal Luis Francisco Ladaria als, he was ordained a priest on 29 He was ordained a bishop on 3 eties of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Ferrer, S J, Prefect of the Congrega- June 1983. September 2016, subsequent to his Mauro Gambetti, OFM. C o n .v titular tion for the Doctrine of the Faith The Holy Father accepted the resig- appointment as Bishop of Cerreto VICAR APOSTOLIC Archbishop of Tisiduo; Bishop José María Gil Tamayo of nation presented by Archbishop S a n n i t a - Te l e s e - S ’aAgata n t de’ Goti. 6) In the Dicastery for the Laity, Avila, Spain, and entourage William D’Souza, S J, from the pas- The Holy Father appointed Father The Holy Father accepted the resig- Family and Life, Cardinal Wilton Cardinal Julián Herranz, Presi- toral care of the Metropolitan Arch- Artur Ważny as Auxiliary Bishop of nation presented by Bishop Henri Daniel Gregory, Archbishop of dent emeritus of the Pontifical diocese of Patna, India. He is suc- Tarnów, Poland, assigning him the Coudray, S J, from the pastoral care of Wa s h i n g t o n ; Council for Legislative Texts ceeded by Archbishop Sebastian titular episcopal See of Mazaca. Un- the Apostolic Vicariate of Mongo, 7) In the Pontifical Council for Kallupura, until now coadjutor til now he has served as director of Chad (14 Dec.). Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Friday, 18 December Archbishop of the said Archdiocese the Office for the Permanent Forma- The Holy Father appointed Fr Mario Grech, Secretary General of Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, (9 Dec.). tion of the Clergy (12 Dec.). Philippe Abbo Chen, member of the Synod of Bishops; Prefect of the Congregation for the Archbishop Kallupura, 67 was Bishop-elect Ważny, 54, was born Notre Dame de Vie Secular Institute, 8) In the Pontifical Commission Evangelization of Peoples born in Kottiyoor, India. He was or- in Rzeszów, Poland. He studied phi- as Vicar Apostolic of the said Vicari- for Latin America, Cardinal Celesti- Bishop Luiz Fernando Lisboa, C P, dained a priest on 14 May 1984. He losophy and theology. He was or- ate. Until now he has served as dele- no Aós Braco, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Pemba, Mozambique was ordained a bishop on 21 June dained a priest on 25 May 1991. gate vicar of Mongo (14 Dec.). of Santiago de Chile. Msgr Bruno Marie Duffé, Secre- 2009, subsequent to his appointment The Holy Father appointed Fr Car- tary of the Dicastery for Promoting as Bishop of Buxar, India. On 29 los Silva, OFM Cap., as Auxiliary Integral Human Development, with June 2018 he was appointed coadju- Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdio- SE C R E TA R I AT OF STAT E ADVENT SERMON Mr Efraim Camilo Dawkins San- tor Archbishop of Patna. cese of São Paulo, Brazil, assigning miguel The Holy Father appointed Fr Luka him the titular episcopal See of Sum- The Holy Father appointed as Un- On Friday morning, 11 December, in A group of students of the “Theol- Sylvester Gopep as Auxiliary Bishop mula. Until now he has served as der-secretary of the Section for the presence of the Holy Father, Car- ogisches Studienjahr” of the Abbey of the Diocese of Minna, Nigeria, as- counsellor general of the Order of Diplomatic Staff of the Holy See of dinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM of Dormition of the Blessed Virgin signing him the titular see of Muzu- Friars Minor Capuchin in Rome (16 the Secretariat of State Msgr. Mauri- Cap., Preacher of the Papal House- Mary, in Jerusalem ca in Byzacena. Until now he has D ec.). cio Rueda Beltz, nunciature counsel- hold, delivered the second Advent served as vicar general of Minna and Bishop-elect Silva, 58, was born in lor in Portugal (17 Dec.). sermon in the Vatican, and on Fri- Saturday, 19 December parish priest of Saint Christopher Andradina, Brazil He completed his The Holy Father confirmed in his day, 18 December, he delivered the H.E. Ms Marija Efremova, Am- parish in Kwamba (9 Dec.). studies in philosophy and in theolo- role, with the title of Secretary for the third and final Sermon for Advent.

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ANGELUSES

On the Feast of the Holy Family, 27 December Pope announces a special year dedicated to families and ‘Amoris Laetitia’

At the Angelus on Sunday, 27 December, Feast of the Holy Family of world can find their sure in a family environment, then Nazareth, Pope Francis announced a special Year to celebrate the fifth an- point of reference and sure in- the family is fine. niversary of the promulgation of ‘Amoris Laetitia’, and to reflect on the “ideal spiration. In Nazareth, the To day’s feast reminds us of of conjugal and family love”represented by the Holy Family. Beginning on 19 springtime of the human life the example of evangelizing March 2021, the special Year will continue until June 2022, when the World of the Son of God began to with the family, proposing to Meeting of Families is scheduled to take place in Rome. The following is a blossom at the moment he us once again the ideal of translation of the Holy Father’s words which he offered in Italian. was conceived by the work of conjugal and family love, as the Holy Spirit in the virginal underlined in the Apostolic Dear Brothers and Sisters, that the Son of God wanted womb of Mary. Within the Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Good morning, to be in need of the warmth of welcoming walls of the House promulgated five years ago A few days after Christmas, a family, like all children. Pre- of Nazareth, Jesus’childho o d this coming 19 March. And the liturgy invites us to turn cisely for this reason, because unfolded in joy, surrounded there will be a year of reflec- our eyes to the Holy Family it is Jesus’family, the family by the maternal attention of tion on Amoris Laetitia and it of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It of Nazareth is the model fam- Mary and the care of Joseph, will be an opportunity to fo- is good to reflect on the fact ily, in which all families of the in whom Jesus was able to see cus more closely on the con- Go d’s tenderness (cf. Apos- tents of the document. [19 tolic Letter Patris Corde, 2). March 2021-June 2022]. In imitation of the Holy These reflections will be made Family, we are called to redis- available to ecclesial commu- On the Feast of Saint Stephen, 26 December cover the educational value of nities and families, to accom- the family unit: it requires be- pany them on their journey. ing founded on the love that As of now, I invite everyone always regenerates relation- to take part in the initiatives Even small gestures change history ships, opening up horizons of that will be promoted hope. Within the family one throughout the Year and that Saint Stephen’s witness teaches us that “g e s t u re s wickedness is rife throughout the world? says: “Be like the palm tree: they throw can experience sincere com- will be coordinated by the Di- of love change history: even small, hidden, every- What good does it do to pray and for- stones at it and it drops dates”. Today, munion when it is a house of castery for the Laity, Family day ones”, Pope Francis said at the Angelus on give? Just to give a good example? But, let us pray for those who suffer persecu- prayer, when affections are se- and Life. Let us entrust this Saturday, 26 December, the day the Church cel- what is the point of that? No, there is a tion in the name of Jesus. There are rious, profound, pure, when journey with the families of ebrates the first martyr. As he reflected on the life lot more. We discover this from a detail. many unfortunately. There are more forgiveness prevails over dis- the whole world to the Holy of Saint Stephen, the Pontiff reminded the faith- The text says that among those for than there were in the early days of the cord, when the daily harsh- Family of Nazareth, in partic- ful of the many people who are still being perse- whom Stephen prayed and whom he Church. Let us entrust to Our Lady ness of life is softened by mu- ular to Saint Joseph, attentive cuted today in the name of Jesus. The following is forgave there was “a young man named these brothers and sisters who respond tual tenderness and serene ad- spouse and father. a translation of the Holy Father’s reflection, Saul”(v. 58), who “was consenting to his to oppression with meekness, and who herence to God’s will. In this May the Virgin Mary, which he shared in Italian from the Library of the death”(8:1). A little later, by God’s overcome evil with good, as true wit- way, the family opens itself up whom we now address with Va t i c a n ’s Apostolic Palace. grace, Saul converted, received the light nesses to Jesus. to the joy that God gives to the Angelus prayer, grant that of Jesus, accepted it, converted, and be- all those who know how to families throughout the world Dear Brothers and Sisters, came Paul, the greatest missionary in After the Angelus, the Holy Father continued: give joyfully. At the same be increasingly fascinated by Good morning, history. Paul was born precisely by the time, it finds the spiritual en- the evangelical ideal of the Ye s t e rd a y ’s Gospel spoke of Jesus, the grace of God, but through Stephen’s Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you ergy to be open to the outside Holy Family, so as to become “true light”that came into the world, forgiveness, through Stephen’s witness. all, families, groups and individual world, to others, to serving leaven of a new humanity and the light that “shines in the darkness” That was the seed of his conversion. It is faithful who are following this moment brothers and sisters, to coop- of a concrete and universal and “the darkness has not overcome it” proof that gestures eration in building an ever s o l i d a r i t y. (Jn 1:9, 5). Today we see the one who bore of love change his- new and better world; capa- After the Angelus the Holy Father witness to Jesus, Saint Stephen, who shines tory: even small, ble, therefore, of becoming a continued: in the darkness. Those who bear witness hidden, everyday bearer of positive stimuli; the Dear brothers and sisters, I shine with Jesus’light, not with their ones. For God family evangelizes by the ex- greet you all, families, groups own light. Even the Church does not guides history ample of life. It is true that and individual faithful, who have her own light. This is why the an- through the humble there are problems, and at are following the Angelus cient fathers used to call the Church courage of those times arguments in every fam- prayer via social communica- “the mystery of the moon”. Like the who pray, love and ily. “Father, I argued...”. But tions media. My thoughts moon, which does not have its own forgive. So many we are human, we are weak, turn in particular to the fami- light, these witnesses do not have their hidden saints, the and we all quarrel within the lies who have lost a loved one own light. They are capable of taking saints next-door, family at times. I will tell you or have been affected by the Jesus’light and reflecting it. Stephen hidden witnesses of something: if you quarrel consequences of the pandem- was falsely accused and brutally stoned, life, who change within the family, do not end ic, during these months. I also but in the darkness of hatred, in the tor- history with small the day without making think of the doctors, nurses ment of his stoning, he let Jesus’light gestures of love. peace. “Yes, I quarrelled”, but and all healthcare profession- shine: he prayed for his murderers and To be witnesses before the end of the day, als whose great commitment forgave them, like Jesus on the cross. He to Jesus is also true make peace. And do you on the front line, fighting the is the first martyr, that is, the first wit- for us. The Lord know why? Because a cold spread of the virus, has had ness, the first of a host of brothers and wants us to make war, day after day, is extreme- significant repercussions on sisters who, still today, continue to bring our lives an extraor- ly dangerous. It does not family life. the light into the darkness —people who dinary work help. And then, in the family And today I entrust each respond to evil with good, who do not through ordinary there are three words, three family to the Lord, especially succumb to violence and lies, but break gestures, everyday phrases that must always be those most tried by life’s diffi- the cycle of hatred with meekness and gestures. We are held dear: “Excuse me”, culties and by the scourges of love. These witnesses ignite God’s dawn called to bear witness to Jesus right of prayer through means of social com- “Thank you”, and “Sorry”. misunderstanding and divi- in the world’s darkest hours. where we live, in our families, at work, munication. We have to proceed this “Excuse me”, so as not to be sion. May the Lord, born in But how does one become a witness? everywhere, even just by giving the light way to avoid people coming to the intrusive in the life of others. Bethlehem, grant them all the By imitating Jesus, taking light from Je- of a smile, a light that is not our own — Square. In order to cooperate with the “Excuse me: may I do some- serenity and strength to walk sus. This is the path for every Christian: it comes from Jesus —and even just by regulations that the Authorities have es- thing? Do you think I can do together in the way of good- to imitate Jesus, to take light from Jesus. fleeing the shadow of gossip and ru- tablished, to help us all escape this pan- this? Excuse me”. Always, not ness. Saint Stephen gives us the example: Je- mours. And then, when we see some- demic. being intrusive. “Excuse me”, And do not forget these sus had come to serve, not to be served thing that is wrong, instead of criticiz- May the joyous Christmas atmo- the first phrase. “Thank you”: three phrases that will help so (cf. Mk 10:45); and he lived to serve and ing, badmouthing and complaining, let sphere that continues today and fills our so much help, so much service much to achieve family unity: not to be served, and he came to serve: us pray for the one who made the mis- hearts again, enkindle in all the desire to that we do for one another “excuse me”—not to be intru- Stephen was chosen to be a deacon, he take and for that difficult situation. And contemplate Jesus in the Nativity scene, within the family. Always say sive, to respect others — became a deacon, that is, a servant, and when an argument starts at home, in- so as to serve him and love him in the thank you. Gratitude is the “thank you” —to mutually he assisted the poor at table (cf. Acts stead of trying to win it, let us try to dif- people who are near us. In these days, I lifeblood of the noble soul. thank each other within the 6:2). He tried to imitate the Lord every fuse it; and start over again each time, received Christmas greetings from Rome “Thank you”. And then, the family —and “sorry”when we day, and he did it even to the end: like forgiving the one who has offended. and other parts of the world. It is im- hardest one to say: “I am sor- do something bad. And this Jesus, he was captured, condemned and Small things, but they change history, possible to respond to everyone, but I ry”. Because we always do “sorry”—or when we quarrel killed outside of the city, and like Jesus because they open the door, they open take this opportunity now to express my some bad things and often —please say it before the day he prayed and forgave. As he was being the window to Jesus’light. As he was gratitude, especially for the gift of someone is offended by this: ends: make peace before the stoned, he said: “Lord, do not hold this suffering the stones of hatred, Saint prayer that you offer me, and which I “I am sorry”,“I am sorry”. Do day ends. sin against them”(7:60). Stephen was a Stephen reciprocated with words of for- willingly reciprocate. not forget the three phrases: I wish you all a happy Sun- witness because he imitated Jesus. giveness. He thus changed history. We Happy Feast of Saint Stephen. “excuse me”,“thank you”, day and please do not forget A question might arise: do these wit- too can change evil into good every day, Please, continue to pray for me. and “I am sorry”. If there are to pray for me. Enjoy your nesses of goodness really help when as suggested by a beautiful proverb that Enjoy your lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i ! these three phrases in a family, lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i !