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Putting a spotlight on the “scourge of child labor,” the Holy Father lamented that there are “too many children forced to work” who are unable to smile or dream.
Pope Francis, the first “pilgrim of hope” to cross the Holy Door’s threshold, inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year by opening the papal basilica’s door on Dec. 24.
“The star,” Pope Francis said, “speaks to us of that unique light that can show to all people the way to salvation and happiness, namely that of love.”
“Let us not be afraid to throw open bright windows of closeness to those who are suffering, of forgiveness, of compassion, and reconciliation,” Pope Francis said from the window of the Apostolic Palace on Jan. 5.
The pontiff repeatedly emphasized his message against bullying, having participants pledge "No bullying!" during the audience.
Pope Francis encouraged those present to be “people on the journey” who always have the desire to continue, “always with the desire to move forward.”
“All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status,” the pope said.
The pope sent a condolence message to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Jan. 2 offering prayers for the souls of the deceased.
In his first Angelus address of 2025, Pope Francis called for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations and renewed his appeals for peace.
“Protecting life, caring for wounded life, restoring dignity to the life of every ‘born of woman’ is the fundamental basis for building a civilization of peace,” Francis said.
The pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has released the Holy Father’s list of prayer intentions for the year 2025.
The Vatican’s missionary agency documented that five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died in violent attacks in Europe.
The former president died on Dec. 29 at age 100 after entering hospice care in February 2023.
“Never, never this,” Francis said about mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other, this is the dialogue that is good for you and that makes you grow!”
“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the pope said.
Pope Francis called on Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope” in a BBC podcast, emphasizing that “hope and kindness touch the very heart of the Gospel.”
Despite health challenges, Pope Francis embarked on ambitious travels in 2024, visiting Southeast Asia and Oceania, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Corsica.
The intimate Mass led by Pope Francis marked a historic moment — the first opening of a jubilee Holy Door within a prison.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said “Pope Francis sometimes likes to make surprises.”
Pilgrims from around the world are passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis opened to begin the 2025 Jubilee.