The Pontiff has dedicated the catechesis of the Audience This morning in the Paul VI Hall at the birth of Jesus, with a meditation that underlined "the humility of God in entering history".
At the beginning, he reported that "with my bronchitis, I still can't read, but next week I will be able to", so except for his words in Italian and Spanish, his reflection for the pilgrims was read in several languages by the priest Pierluigi Giroli, from the Secretariat of State.
"May paths of peace be found."
At the end of catechesis in Italian, before reciting the Our Father and giving the Blessing, the Pope encouraged two general considerations, asking for prayer and penance for peaceThe day after tomorrow (14th), we will celebrate the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the first propagators of the faith among the Slavic peoples. May their witness help you too to be apostles of the Gospel, leaven of renewal in personal, family and social life".
Reflecting on peace, the Holy Father recalled "so many countries that are at war", and encouraged: "Let us pray for peace, let us do everything for peace, we were not born to kill, but to make people grow. May paths of peace be found. May your daily prayer be, please, to ask for peace, for the martyred Ukraine that suffers, think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, South Sudan, please, let us pray for peace, let us do penance for peace".
Signs of the Messiah's humility
"In our catechesis today" (based on Luke 2:10-12), "we contemplate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, who enters history by becoming our companion on our journey," the Pope began his reflection.
"He Himself, from the womb, was always on the way. First, from Nazareth to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah - in the Visitation -; then, from Nazareth to Belen to fulfill the census. This shows the humility of God, who does not evade or undermine the structures of the world, but illuminates and recreates them from within."
"Another sign of the humility of the Messiah is that he is not born in a palace, but in a place destined for animals. He does not manifest himself in clamor, but in silence; he does not impose himself, but offers himself."
Shepherds, "recipients of the most wonderful news in history".
The Pope also stressed that God chooses shepherds "to be the recipients of the most wonderful news that has ever resounded in history: the shepherds, simple and humble people, are the first to receive this good news. The long-awaited Savior is born for them, to be the Shepherd of his people. They welcome him with grateful wonder and, as they set out to meet him, their hearts are filled with joy and hope".
Francis encouraged: "Let us ask the Lord for the grace to go to meet them promptly and simply, like shepherds, announcing to all the hope and joy of the Gospel".
Jubilee, a time of spiritual renewal
As for his words to the pilgrims of different languages, perhaps those addressed to the English-speaking pilgrims, and then to the Chinese-speaking pilgrims, can summarize his speeches.
"I wish that the Jubilee of hope may it be for you and your families a time of grace and spiritual renewal. I invoke upon you all the joy and peace of the Lord Jesus," he said to the pilgrims from England, Northern Ireland, Malta, Sweden, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States, with special mention to "the seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College, assuring them of my prayers for their preparation for the priesthood".
"I cordially greet the Chinese-speaking people. Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you to work for a just and united society. My blessing to all!" he said to the Chinese-speaking people.
"Discerning in weakness the strength of the Child God."
Finally, the Pope made two requests. First, that "we too may ask for the grace to be, like the shepherds, capable of wonder and praise before God, and capable of guarding what He has entrusted to us: our talents, our charisms, our vocation and the people He places at our side".
And secondly, "let us ask the Lord to know how to discern in weakness the extraordinary strength of the Child God, who comes to renew the world and transform our lives with his hope-filled plan for all humanity".
