Papal advisors finish first draft of new constitution on the Roman Curia

Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered on St. Peter’s Square, Dec. 26, 2022 / Vatican Media

CNA Newsroom, Dec 26, 2022 / 06:07 am (CNA).

Pope Francis on Monday called on Catholics to pray for those who have harmed them — and those persecuted — as he renewed his Christmas call for peace in Ukraine and worldwide. 

Speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square after praying the Angelus Dec. 26, the pontiff said: “I renew my wish for peace: peace in families, peace in parishes and religious communities, peace in movements and associations, peace for those war-torn peoples, peace for the dear and martyred Ukraine.”

On the feast of the martyr St. Stephen, the pope said “the martyrs are those most similar to Jesus.” 

“Indeed, the word martyr means witness: the martyrs are witnesses, that is, brothers and sisters who, through their lives, show us Jesus, who conquered evil with mercy. And even in our day, martyrs are numerous, more so than in the early times”, Pope Francis said.

“Today let us pray for these persecuted martyr brothers and sisters, who bear witness to Christ. But it will do us good to ask ourselves: do I bear witness to Christ? And how can we improve in this? We can indeed be helped by the figure of Saint Stephen.”

Stephen, the pontiff noted, spoke of Jesus to those he met and was not intimidated even by the threats of his persecutors. “Charity and proclamation, this was Stephen. However, his greatest testimony is yet another: that he knew how to unite charity and proclamation. He left it to us at the point of his death when, following the example of Jesus, he forgave his killers.” 

The faithful “can improve our witness through charity towards our brothers and sisters, fidelity to the Word of God, and forgiveness. Charity, Word, forgiveness. It is forgiveness that tells whether we truly practice charity towards others, and if we live the Word of God.”

Playing on the connection between the Italian word for forgiveness — perdono — and the Italian word for a gift — dono — the pope explained that forgiveness is a gift “we give to others because we belong to Jesus, forgiven by him.”

The pontiff added: “Let us ask the newborn Jesus for the newness of a heart capable of forgiveness: we all need a forgiving heart! Let us ask the Lord for this grace: Lord, may I learn to forgive. Let us ask for the strength to pray for those who have hurt us, to pray for those who have harmed us, and to take steps of openness and reconciliation.”

Pope Francis concluded with a prayer to “Mary, Queen of martyrs” to “help us to grow in charity, in love of the Word and in forgiveness.”

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Vatican City, Jan 8, 2018 / 06:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a speech to diplomats on Monday, Pope Francis said that the stability of the family is integral for the future, and that such stability is created when founded upon the faithful and lasting rela… […]

Vatican City, Mar 2, 2018 / 02:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday, the Vatican’s point-man on interreligious dialogue said Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Geneva, which will have a largely ecumenical theme, is a prime example of just how important the topic is for the current pontificate.

Speaking to journalists about the trip March 2, Cardinal Kurt Koch said “the pope has a very ecumenical heart. Ecumenism, the unity of Christians, is very much in the Holy Father’s heart.”

Noting how ecumenism was also a major priority coming out of the Second Vatican Council, Koch said the trip was “an adequate way” to unite the desire of the Council and that of Pope Francis.

For Francis, ecumenism “is not just an ecumenical dialogue,” but, as the pontiff has often said, it means working together, praying together and collaborating in joint initiatives.

Christians, the cardinal said, must do “everything that we can” to work for this unity.

Cardinal Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, presented the theme, relevant background and expected schedule to journalists following the official March 2 announcement of the trip by the Vatican.

Pope Francis is making the trip, which is set to take place June 21, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches.

Founded in 1948, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is a global fellowship of churches seeking to foster unity among different Christian confessions throughout the globe. It has some 348 members in 110 countries worldwide.

These members represent more than 500 million Christians, including Orthodox, Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran and Methodist churches, as well as many Reformed, United and Independent churches.

The Holy See is not a member of the WCC, but it is an observer and routinely sends representatives to the organization’s meetings.

By visiting the WCC headquarters in Geneva, Pope Francis will follow in the steps of his two predecessors: Bl. Paul VI, who traveled to the WCC in June 1969, and St. John Paul II, who followed suit in June 1984.

John Paul II was the most recent pope to visit Switzerland, having traveled there for a six-day visit in 2004 as one of his last international trips.

The theme for Pope Francis’ visit is “Walking – Praying – Working Together.” In his presentation, Cardinal Koch said this theme reflects what the pope has defined as the “ecumenism of walking together.”

“On several occasions, the Holy Father encouraged the churches to journey together in witnessing to their faith and in facing our contemporary challenges,” he said, adding that walking together in this way helps Christians to better appreciate their common heritage and the things they already have in common.

It also allows Christians to understand the differences that still exist, particularly on doctrinal or moral issues, he said. However, while overcoming points of theological divergence is an important part of achieving unity, there is more to the process.

“It also must include collaboration for those who are in need, and for the many victims of wars, injustice, and natural disasters,” Koch said, and stressed the need to pray both for and with one another.

Though the Pope’s official schedule has yet to be released, the cardinal said the day trip would likely begin with a courtesy visit to Swiss President Alain Berset, after which Francis will head to the WCC headquarters for a moment of ecumenical prayer in the center’s chapel.

He will also attend a special session of the WCC’s Central Committee dedicated to the anniversary celebration. Afterward, the Pope is expected to celebrate Mass for the Catholic community in Switzerland before heading back to Rome.

While the majority of the founding members came from Europe and North America, currently the bulk of the WCC membership is in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific.

This change reflects wider shifts in the presence of Christians throughout the world, Koch said, and “can be an encouragement for Europeans to rediscover Christianity.”

Also present at the March 2 presentation of the trip was Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, secretary general of the WCC. Speaking to journalists, he said the Pope’s trip is “a landmark visit” and “a sign of hope not just for us, but for all who long and work for unity in the world.”

“We see it as a sign of how we as Christian churches can affirm our common calling and our mission of [serving] Christ together,” he said, adding that visits such as this are steps that help build hope for future generations.

“Hope is a critical dimension of our lives that is essential to be able to handle suffering” and the many challenges the world faced, he said, and prayed that the Pope’s visit would be a concrete sign of this hope.

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