Pope Francis says "Dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for peace. Let us not forget the people who suffer because of the war"
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POPE FRANCIS at the GENERAL AUDIENCE
in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall on Wednesday, 18 December 2024
_______________________________________
The text below also includes unread parts that are given as pronounced.
Cycle – Jubilee 2025. Jesus Christ our hope. I. The childhood of Jesus. 1. Genealogy of Jesus (Mt 1:1-17). The entry of the Son of God into history
Pope Francis' FULL TEXT Message - Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today we begin the cycle of catecheses that will take place throughout the Jubilee Year. The theme is “Jesus Christ our hope”: He, in fact, is the goal of our pilgrimage, and He himself is the way, the path to follow.
The first part will deal with the childhood of Jesus, which is narrated to us by the Evangelists Matthew and Luke (see Mt 1–2; Lk 1–2). The Infancy Gospels tell of the virginal conception of Jesus and his birth from Mary's womb; they recall the messianic prophecies that are fulfilled in Him and speak of the legal paternity of Joseph, who grafts the Son of God onto the "trunk" of the Davidic dynasty. We are presented with Jesus as a newborn, a child and an adolescent, submissive to his parents and, at the same time, aware of being completely dedicated to the Father and his Kingdom. The difference between the two Evangelists is that while Luke recounts the events through the eyes of Mary, Matthew does so through those of Joseph, insisting on such an unprecedented paternity.
Matthew opens his Gospel and the entire New Testament canon with the "genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham" (Mt 1:1). This is a list of names already present in the Hebrew Scriptures, to show the truth of history and the truth of human life. In fact, "the genealogy of the Lord is made up of true history, where some names are present that are problematic to say the least and the sin of King David is emphasized (see Mt 1:6). Everything, however, ends and flourishes in Mary and in Christ (see Mt 1:16)" (Letter on the renewal of the study of the history of the Church, 21 November 2024). Then the truth of human life appears, which passes from one generation to the next, handing down three things: a name that contains a unique identity and mission; belonging to a family and a people; and finally, adherence of faith to the God of Israel.
Genealogy is a literary genre, that is, a form suitable for conveying a very important message: no one gives life to himself, but receives it as a gift from others; in this case, it is the chosen people and those who inherit the deposit of the faith of the fathers, in transmitting life to their children, also give them faith in God.
However, unlike the genealogies of the Old Testament, where only male names appear, because in Israel it is the father who imposes the name on the son, in Matthew's list among the ancestors of Jesus also appear women. We find five: Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah who, having been widowed, pretends to be a prostitute to ensure a lineage for her husband (see Gen 38); Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho who allows the Jewish explorers to enter the promised land and conquer it (see Jos 2); Ruth, the Moabite who, in the book of the same name, remains faithful to her mother-in-law, takes care of her and will become the great-grandmother of King David; Bathsheba, with whom David commits adultery and, after having her husband killed, generates Solomon (see 2Sam 11); and finally Mary of Nazareth, wife of Joseph, of the house of David: from her is born the Messiah, Jesus.
The first four women are united not by the fact of being sinners, as is sometimes said, but by being foreigners to the people of Israel. What Matthew brings out is that, as Benedict XVI wrote, "through them the world of the Gentiles enters ... into the genealogy of Jesus - his mission to Jews and pagans is made visible" (The Infancy of Jesus, Milan-Vatican City 2012, 15).
While the four previous women are mentioned next to the man who was born from them or to the one who generated him, Mary, instead, acquires particular prominence: she marks a new beginning, she herself is a new beginning, because in her story it is no longer the human creature who is the protagonist of the generation, but God himself. This is clearly seen from the verb "is born": "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" (Mt 1:16). Jesus is the son of David, grafted by Joseph into that dynasty and destined to be the Messiah of Israel, but he is also the son of Abraham and of foreign women, destined therefore to be the "Light of the Gentiles" (see Luke 2:32) and the "Savior of the world" (Jn 4:42).
The Son of God, consecrated to the Father with the mission of revealing his face (see Jn 1:18; Jn 14:9), enters the world like all the children of man, so much so that in Nazareth he will be called "son of Joseph" (Jn 6:42) or "son of the carpenter" (Mt 13:55). True God and true man.
Brothers and sisters, let us awaken in ourselves a grateful memory towards our ancestors. And above all let us give thanks to God, who, through Mother Church, has generated us to eternal life, the life of Jesus, our hope.
************
GREETINGS
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the parishes of Fermo, accompanied by their Archbishop, the groups of Sezze, the musical band of Serino, the students of San Benedetto del Tronto.
Finally, my thoughts go to the young people, the sick, the elderly and the newlyweds. Christmas is now near and I love to think that in your homes there is the nativity scene: this important element of our spirituality and our culture is an evocative way to remember Jesus who came "to live among us".
And then, dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for peace. Let us not forget the people who suffer because of the war: Palestine, Israel, and all those who are suffering, Ukraine, Myanmar... Let us not forget to pray for peace, for the end of wars. Let us ask the prince of peace, the Lord, to give us this grace: peace, peace in the world. War, let us not forget, is always a defeat, always! War is always a defeat.
My blessing to everyone!
in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall on Wednesday, 18 December 2024
_______________________________________
The text below also includes unread parts that are given as pronounced.
Cycle – Jubilee 2025. Jesus Christ our hope. I. The childhood of Jesus. 1. Genealogy of Jesus (Mt 1:1-17). The entry of the Son of God into history
Pope Francis' FULL TEXT Message - Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today we begin the cycle of catecheses that will take place throughout the Jubilee Year. The theme is “Jesus Christ our hope”: He, in fact, is the goal of our pilgrimage, and He himself is the way, the path to follow.
The first part will deal with the childhood of Jesus, which is narrated to us by the Evangelists Matthew and Luke (see Mt 1–2; Lk 1–2). The Infancy Gospels tell of the virginal conception of Jesus and his birth from Mary's womb; they recall the messianic prophecies that are fulfilled in Him and speak of the legal paternity of Joseph, who grafts the Son of God onto the "trunk" of the Davidic dynasty. We are presented with Jesus as a newborn, a child and an adolescent, submissive to his parents and, at the same time, aware of being completely dedicated to the Father and his Kingdom. The difference between the two Evangelists is that while Luke recounts the events through the eyes of Mary, Matthew does so through those of Joseph, insisting on such an unprecedented paternity.
Matthew opens his Gospel and the entire New Testament canon with the "genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham" (Mt 1:1). This is a list of names already present in the Hebrew Scriptures, to show the truth of history and the truth of human life. In fact, "the genealogy of the Lord is made up of true history, where some names are present that are problematic to say the least and the sin of King David is emphasized (see Mt 1:6). Everything, however, ends and flourishes in Mary and in Christ (see Mt 1:16)" (Letter on the renewal of the study of the history of the Church, 21 November 2024). Then the truth of human life appears, which passes from one generation to the next, handing down three things: a name that contains a unique identity and mission; belonging to a family and a people; and finally, adherence of faith to the God of Israel.
Genealogy is a literary genre, that is, a form suitable for conveying a very important message: no one gives life to himself, but receives it as a gift from others; in this case, it is the chosen people and those who inherit the deposit of the faith of the fathers, in transmitting life to their children, also give them faith in God.
However, unlike the genealogies of the Old Testament, where only male names appear, because in Israel it is the father who imposes the name on the son, in Matthew's list among the ancestors of Jesus also appear women. We find five: Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah who, having been widowed, pretends to be a prostitute to ensure a lineage for her husband (see Gen 38); Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho who allows the Jewish explorers to enter the promised land and conquer it (see Jos 2); Ruth, the Moabite who, in the book of the same name, remains faithful to her mother-in-law, takes care of her and will become the great-grandmother of King David; Bathsheba, with whom David commits adultery and, after having her husband killed, generates Solomon (see 2Sam 11); and finally Mary of Nazareth, wife of Joseph, of the house of David: from her is born the Messiah, Jesus.
The first four women are united not by the fact of being sinners, as is sometimes said, but by being foreigners to the people of Israel. What Matthew brings out is that, as Benedict XVI wrote, "through them the world of the Gentiles enters ... into the genealogy of Jesus - his mission to Jews and pagans is made visible" (The Infancy of Jesus, Milan-Vatican City 2012, 15).
While the four previous women are mentioned next to the man who was born from them or to the one who generated him, Mary, instead, acquires particular prominence: she marks a new beginning, she herself is a new beginning, because in her story it is no longer the human creature who is the protagonist of the generation, but God himself. This is clearly seen from the verb "is born": "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" (Mt 1:16). Jesus is the son of David, grafted by Joseph into that dynasty and destined to be the Messiah of Israel, but he is also the son of Abraham and of foreign women, destined therefore to be the "Light of the Gentiles" (see Luke 2:32) and the "Savior of the world" (Jn 4:42).
The Son of God, consecrated to the Father with the mission of revealing his face (see Jn 1:18; Jn 14:9), enters the world like all the children of man, so much so that in Nazareth he will be called "son of Joseph" (Jn 6:42) or "son of the carpenter" (Mt 13:55). True God and true man.
Brothers and sisters, let us awaken in ourselves a grateful memory towards our ancestors. And above all let us give thanks to God, who, through Mother Church, has generated us to eternal life, the life of Jesus, our hope.
************
GREETINGS
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the parishes of Fermo, accompanied by their Archbishop, the groups of Sezze, the musical band of Serino, the students of San Benedetto del Tronto.
Finally, my thoughts go to the young people, the sick, the elderly and the newlyweds. Christmas is now near and I love to think that in your homes there is the nativity scene: this important element of our spirituality and our culture is an evocative way to remember Jesus who came "to live among us".
And then, dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for peace. Let us not forget the people who suffer because of the war: Palestine, Israel, and all those who are suffering, Ukraine, Myanmar... Let us not forget to pray for peace, for the end of wars. Let us ask the prince of peace, the Lord, to give us this grace: peace, peace in the world. War, let us not forget, is always a defeat, always! War is always a defeat.
My blessing to everyone!
***********
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those coming from Malta. I pray that each of you, and your families, may experience a blessed Advent in preparation for the coming of Jesus our Saviour at Christmas.
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, en particulier les élèves des différentes écoles de Paris et de Dijon, mais aussi les fidèles qui accompagnent les reliques de sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus. J’exprime ma sollicitude pour tous les habitants de l’archipel de Mayotte dévasté par un cyclone et je les assure de ma prière. Que Dieu accorde le repos aux personnes qui ont perdu la vie, les secours nécessaires à toutes celles qui se trouvent dans le besoin, et le réconfort aux familles éprouvées. Le récent voyage en Corse où j’ai été reçu si chaleureusement, m’a particulièrement touché par sa ferveur populaire où la foi n’est pas un fait privé mais aussi par le nombre des enfants présents : une grande joie et une grande espérance ! Dieu vous bénisse tous !
[Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini di lingua francese, in particolare gli alunni delle varie scuole di Parigi e Digione, come pure i fedeli che accompagnano le reliquie di Santa Teresa di Gesù Bambino. Esprimo la mia vicinanza a tutti gli abitanti dell'arcipelago di Mayotte devastato da un ciclone e assicuro loro le mie preghiere. Dio conceda il riposo a coloro che hanno perso la vita, l'assistenza necessaria a quanti sono nel bisogno e il conforto alle famiglie che sono state colpite. Il recente viaggio in Corsica, dove sono stato accolto così calorosamente, mi ha particolarmente colpito per il fervore della gente, dove la fede non è un fatto privato, e per il numero di bambini presenti: una grande gioia e una grande speranza! Dio vi benedica tutti!]
Liebe Brüder und Schwestern deutscher Sprache, wir wollen die dankbare Erinnerung an unsere Vorfahren in uns wachhalten. Denn sie haben uns das Leben geschenkt und den Glauben weitergegeben, den uns die Kirche verkündet. Mit ihnen vereint, rufen wir zu Christus, unserer Hoffnung: Komm, Herr, säume nicht!
[Cari fratelli e sorelle di lingua tedesca, manteniamo viva in noi la memoria grata nei confronti dei nostri antenati che ci hanno dato la vita e ci hanno trasmesso la fede che la Chiesa annuncia. Uniti con loro, invochiamo Cristo, nostra speranza, dicendo: vieni, Signore, non tardare!]
Saludo cordialmente a los peregrinos de lengua española. En estos días previos a la Navidad, los invito a renovar nuestra súplica al Señor, pidiéndole que conceda al mundo el don de la paz. Que Jesús los bendiga y la Virgen de la Esperanza los cuide. Muchas gracias.
我向讲中文的人们致以诚挚的问候。亲爱的弟兄姊妹，愿主圣诞佳节即将来临之际，给大家带来欢乐与安宁。我降福你们大家！
[Rivolgo il mio cordiale saluto alle persone di lingua cinese. Cari fratelli e sorelle, il Natale del Signore ormai prossimo porti a tutti gioia e serenità. A tutti la mia benedizione!]
Queridos peregrinos de língua portuguesa, sede bem-vindos. A genealogia de Jesus faz-nos pensar nos nossos antepassados, nos nossos avós e na riqueza de todos os idosos. São um dom de Deus que devemos agradecer e cuidar. Não deixemos que se encontrem sozinhos durante as próximas festividades do Natal. E isto gostaria de o repetir: que nestas festividades não se encontrem sozinhos. Que Nossa Senhora e São José vos protejam!
[Cari pellegrini di lingua portoghese, benvenuti. La genealogia di Gesù ci fa pensare ai nostri antenati, ai nostri nonni e alla ricchezza di tutti gli anziani. Sono un dono di Dio da ringraziare e di cui prendersi cura. Non permettiamo che si trovino da soli durante le prossime festività del Natale. Questo vorrei ripeterlo: che in questa festività non si trovino da soli. La Madonna e San Giuseppe vi custodiscano!]
أُحَيِّي المُؤمِنينَ النَّاطِقينَ باللغَةِ العربِيَّة. في يسوع، لَمْ يَعُدِ اللهُ بعيدًا، بل صارَ قريبًا منَّا، لِيُشارِكَنا في حياتِنا ويُخَلِّصَنا. أتَمَنَّى لَكُم جَميعًا عِيدَ مِيلادٍ مَجيد!
[Saluto i fedeli di lingua araba. In Gesù, Dio non è più lontano, ma si fa vicino a noi, per partecipare alla nostra vita e salvarci. Auguro a tutti Buon Natale!]
Serdecznie pozdrawiam Polaków. W Wigilię, zgodnie z waszą tradycją, będziecie łamać się opłatkiem. Niech ten gest miłości, pokoju i przebaczenia, będzie wyrazem serca otwartego dla wszystkich, których spotykacie na swojej drodze. Proszę was, nadal pamiętajcie szczególnie o ubogich, samotnych, powodzianach, oraz siostrach i braciach z Ukrainy, z udręczonej Ukrainy. Z serca Wam błogosławię.
[Saluto cordialmente i polacchi. Alla Vigilia di Natale, secondo la vostra tradizione, spezzerete l’oplatek – il pane di Natale. Questo gesto di carità, di pace e perdono sia espressione di un cuore aperto a quanti incontrate sul vostro cammino. Per favore, Continuate a ricordare soprattutto i poveri, le persone sole, le vittime delle alluvioni e le sorelle e i fratelli dell’Ucraina, della martoriata Ucraina. Vi benedico di cuore.]
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