Franco Pisano

Francis baptises 16 children, and expresses the hope that in Kazakhstan "social harmony will be found as soon as possible through the search for dialogue, justice and the common good". Prayer "is not an escape route, it is not a magic ritual or a repetition of chants learned by heart", "it is the key that opens the heart to the Lord".

Francis' message for World Mission Day revolves around "three key phrases that synthesize the three foundations of the life and mission of every disciple: “You shall be my witnesses”, “to the ends of the earth” and “you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit”. "In evangelization, then, the example of a Christian life and the proclamation of Christ are inseparable. One is at the service of the other. They are the two lungs with which any community must breathe, if it is to be missionary.."

"The journey of life and faith demands a deep desire and inner zeal. We need it as Church". "It is also one of the tasks of the Synod: to walk together in listening, so that the Spirit may suggest new ways, ways to bring the Gospel to the hearts of those who are indifferent, distant, of those who have lost hope but seek what the Magi found, 'a most great joy' (Mt 2:10)".

"It is not enough to bring a child into the world to say one is its father or mother." "Every time someone assumes responsibility for the life of another, in a certain sense he exercises paternity towards him." "I pray that no one will feel deprived of a bond of fatherly love. May St. Joseph exercise his protection and help over orphans; and may he intercede for couples who wish to have a child."

“God’s mercy embraces both fatherhood and motherhood,” writes Pope Francis. “Be mindful of the great dignity of your profession, as well as the responsibility that it entails,” he tells the “Dear healthcare workers”. Among them “countless missionaries have combined the preaching of the Gospel with the construction of hospitals, dispensaries and care homes. These are precious means whereby Christian charity has taken visible shape and the love of Christ”.

Make room for the God who "does not remain in His blissful eternity and in His infinite light, but makes himself close, becomes flesh, descends into the darkness, inhabits lands alien to him". "Let each one of us be concrete and respond to this. 'Yes, yes, I would like Jesus to come but like this, that I do not have to touch him; this, no, and this yes...'. Everyone has his own sin - let us call it by name. And He is not afraid of our sins: He came to heal us. At least let us let Him see it, let Him see the sin".

In this pandemic, "After the initial reaction phase in which we felt in solidarity in the same boat, the “every man for himself” temptation spread. But thank God we reacted again with a sense of responsibility". "Thanks be to God, because the choice of responsibility in solidarity does not come from the world: it comes from God; indeed, it comes from Jesus Christ, who has once and for all impressed on our history the 'course' of His original vocation: to be all sisters and brothers, children of the one Father".

Francis dedicates a prayer to “Saint Joseph, / you who have experienced the suffering of those who must flee / you who were forced to flee to save the lives of those dearest to you, / protect all those who flee because of war, / hatred, hunger. Support them in their difficulties, / Strengthen them in hope, and let them find welcome and solidarity. / Guide their steps and open the hearts of those who can help them.

Francis centred his Urbi et orbi message on the lack of dialogue, not only between States, but also between people, as evinced by violence against women and the tendency “to look the other way” at the sufferings of those forced to leave their homeland. Choosing the Word and the “grace of littleness” means “to believe that God desires to come into the little things of our life; he wants to inhabit our daily lives, the things we do each day at home, in our families, at school and in the workplace.”

“Participation, mission and communion are the characteristics of a humble Church, one attentive to the voice of the Spirit and not self-centred,” said the Pope. “This is the lesson of Christmas: humility is the great condition for faith, for the spiritual life and for holiness.”

“May each one of us draw near to the creche in our own homes or in the church or in another place, and try to make an act of adoration, inside: ‘I believe you are God, that this baby is God. Please, grant me the grace of humility to be able to understand’.” The pontiff urges Europe to open its heart to migrants. Francis also met with Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk.

Military spending is up, “beyond the levels at the end of the Cold War and they seem certain to grow exorbitantly.” At the same, spending in education is down across the world, treated as mere “investment”. For the pontiff, “Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment.” Political leaders are “called to play an active role by promoting a fair balance between economic freedom and social justice.”