Angelus

Pope at Angelus: ‘Jesus is our salvation and our light’

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel of the liturgy (Lk 2:22-40) tells us about Mary and Joseph who take the infant Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. In accordance with the Law, they present Him in God’s dwelling, to recall that life comes from the Lord. And while the Holy Family carries out what was always done among the people of Israel, from generation to generation, something happens that had never occurred before… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Jubilee an opportunity to renew our encounter with Christ

  Pjazza San Pietru, il-Vatikan

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

This Sunday, the Evangelist Luke presents Jesus to us in the synagogue in Nazareth, the town where He grew up. He reads the passage from the prophet Isaiah announcing the Messiah’s evangelizing and liberating mission. He then says, in the general silence: ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled’ (cf. Lk 4:21).

Let us Imagine the surprise and dismay of Jesus’ fellow citizens, who knew Him as the carpenter Joseph’s son and would never have imagined that He could present himself as the Messiah… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Where we are lacking, the Lord responds abundantly

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The Gospel of today’s liturgy (Jn 2:1-11) tells us about Jesus’ first sign, when He turns water into wine during a wedding feast in Cana, in Galilee. It is an account that foreshadows and encapsulates the whole of Jesus’ mission: on the day of the coming of the Messiah – so said the prophets – the Lord will prepare “a feast of … choice wines” (Is 25:6) and “the mountains shall drip with the juice of grapes” (Am 9:13); Jesus is the Bridegroom who brings the “good wine”… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Through Baptism we are reborn to new life

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which we celebrate today, makes us think of many things, including our own Baptism. Jesus joins His people, who are going to receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I like to recall the words of a hymn of today’s liturgy: Jesus goes to be baptized by John, “with a bare soul and bare feet”… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: The Epiphany calls us to seek Jesus, not to remain indifferent

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Feast of the Epiphany!

Today the Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus, and the Gospel concentrates on the Magi, who at the end of a long journey reach Jerusalem to adore Jesus.

If we look closely, we will discover something a bit stranger: while these wise men from far away come to find Jesus, those who were close by do not take one step towards the grotto in Bethlehem… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Imitate the God of love, be messengers of hope

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
And well done, you are brave, with the rain! Happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel (cf. Jn 1:1-18), talking to us about Jesus, Word incarnate, tells us that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5). It reminds us, then, how powerful is God’s love, which is not overcome by anything and which, despite obstacles and rejections, continues to shine and illuminate our path… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Families, sit around the table and talk

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today we celebrate the Holy Family of Nazareth. The Gospel tells of when Jesus, at the age of twelve, at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, went missing from Mary and Joseph, who found Him afterwards in the Temple conversing with the teachers (cf. Lk 2:41-52). The Evangelist Luke reveals the state of mind of Mary who asks Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us? … Read more »

Pope at Angelus: God always forgives

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy feast day! Happy feast day to everyone.

Today, immediately after Christmas, the liturgy celebrates Saint Stephen, the first martyr. The account of his stoning is found in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. 6:8-12; 7:54-60) and presents it to us while, dying, he prays for his killers. And this gives us pause for thought: in fact, even though at first sight Stephen seems to be helplessly suffering violence, in reality, as a truly free man, he continues to love even his killers and to offer his life for them, like Jesus (cf. Jn 10:17-18; Lk 23:34); he offers his life so that they may repent and, having been forgiven, be given eternal life… Read more »

Pope: Place your hopes in God’s infinite mercy

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and happy feast day!

Today, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Gospel tells us about one of the most important, most beautiful moments in the history of humanity: the Annunciation (cf. Lk 26-38), when Mary’s “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel permitted the Incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus. It is a scene that inspires the greatest wonder and emotion because God, the Most High, the Omnipotent, by means of the Angel converses with a young girl from Nazareth, asking for her collaboration for His plan of salvation… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Be vigilant and turn your gaze to Heaven

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The Gospel of today’s liturgy (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36), first Sunday of Advent, speaks to us about cosmic upheavals and anxiety and fear in humanity. In this context, Jesus addresses a word of hope to His disciples: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (v. 28). The Master’s concern is that their hearts do not grow drowsy (cf… Read more »