Pope Francis attends “The caress and the smile” event to meet with grandparents, elderly, grandchildren, and members of the “Fondazione Eta’ Grande” at the Paul VI Audience Hall in The Vatican, on April 27, 2024. (File photo by TIZIANA FABI / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — Spread hope among those who were suffering, Pope Francis urged on Thursday in his papal bull titled “Spes Non Confudit” (“Hope does not disappoint” in Latin).
“Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it,” Francis said.
Pope Francis enumerated who need to be given hope – the prisoners, the sick, the young, migrants and refugees, the elderly, and the poor.
The pope issued the message in connection with the Jubilee Year of 2025, which will begin on December 24, 2024.
In the Roman Catholic Church, a jubilee year, which takes place every 50 years, is devoted to forgiveness and reconciliation.
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“Sustained by this great tradition, and certain that the Jubilee Year will be for the entire Church a lively experience of grace and hope, I hereby decree that the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican will be opened on 24 December 2024, thus inaugurating the Ordinary Jubilee,” the papal bull said.
Pope Francis also instructed bishops to celebrate Mass on December 29 as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year, which would end on December 28, 2025.
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In Rome, the Jubilee Year will end with the closing of the Holy Door in the Basilica of Saint Peter on January 6, 2026.
“During the Holy Year, may the light of Christian hope illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all! And may the Church bear faithful witness to this message in every part of the world!” it added.