On January 1, 2025, Pope Francis celebrated the 58th World Peace Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, where he made a heartfelt appeal for the respect of human dignity and the importance of reconciliation among peoples. With the message centered around the theme "Forgive us our debts: grant us your peace," the Pope gathered with 38 cardinals, 14 bishops, and approximately 200 priests to join him for the solemn occasion, signaling the start of the Jubilee year.
Reflecting deeply on the significance of this celebratory day, Pope Francis underscored the need for humanity to safeguard life at all stages, stating, "We must learn to care for every human being who enters the world, protecting first of all the precious gift of life." This call to action particularly emphasized the importance of protecting the vulnerable, such as children, the elderly, and those suffering from loneliness and anguish.
During his homily, Pope Francis cited the Virgin Mary, illustrating her pivotal role as the protector of life from conception to the end. He urged everyone to respond to the maternal call of Mary, which advocates for life and healing the wounds of oppression. He noted, "Today we trust to Mary the anxieties and joys carried within every heart, longing for collective hope to blossom and peace for all peoples worldwide."
Pope Francis intertwined this celebration with the opening of the Holy Door, symbolizing access to the mercy of God, and confronted the contemporary temptation of viewing God as "abstract." He stated, "God is concrete and human, manifest through Jesus, who invites us to maintain a personal relationship with Him." Echoing this, he relayed the embodiment of divine love expressed through fragility and compassion for the weak.
He urged participants to embrace the themes of forgiveness and solidarity, linking peace and reconciliation to the dire circumstances faced by nations suffering from war and division, including Ukraine, Gaza, and various countries across Africa and Latin America. This sentiment was accompanied by calls for global disarmament, emphasizing the courage required to relinquish weapons and seek peaceful pathways forward.
With the commencement of the Jubilee year, the Pope’s message extended beyond the walls of the Basilica, appealing to all individuals and global leaders to commit to “a strong commitment to promote respect for human dignity.” He expressed the hope for this year to be marked with ideals of justice and fraternity, encouraging everyone to rediscover the true essence of life.
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, observed on the same day, invites the faithful to reflect on the maternal presence of Mary and her significance throughout Christian history as the bearer of Christ. Rooted deeply within the Church's liturgical calendar, this day also fosters deep contemplation on peaceful living and the need to promote peace within one's community.
Concluding his homily, Pope Francis invited the assembly to entrust their worries and prayers to Mary, exclaiming, "Let us entrust the whole world to her, so hope may rekindle and peace may grow among all peoples of the earth." He reaffirmed his call for collective action to restore dignity to every life born of woman, laying down the foundation for cultivating a culture of peace.