In the face of discouragement, Pope encourages families to turn to the Risen One

In the Audience This morning, with more than 50,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo encouraged people to turn to the Risen Jesus. He is "a guarantee of hope" for those who "feel discouraged about life," he told the faithful.

At the end of the audience, just before giving the Blessing, the Pontiff exhorted the faithful and pilgrims to "turn their gaze towards saint Teresa of Avila whose liturgical memorial we celebrate today. May the example of this great contemplative be an invitation to all to strengthen their spirit of prayer every day. Fixing our gaze on Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world.

The Risen Christ, "guarantee of hope".

In his address in Italian, the Pope resumed the cycle of catecheses during the Jubilee Year, 'Jesus Christ, our hope', with the theme 'The Risen Lord, living source of human hope'.

"The Risen Christ is a safe harbor on our way! The Risen Christ is the guarantee of this hope which will not be disappointed. He is the perennial source of full life," said Leo XIV.

He accompanies us on the journey of our history, sometimes painful, "and He, who is the goal, leads us home where we are awaited, loved and saved".

"Let us pray to the Lord that those who feel discouraged and tired of life may discover in the Risen One the deep and joy-filled peace that only he can give us," he said.

To English-speaking pilgrims

We seek worldly recognition and, whether we receive it or not, we continue to feel empty, the Pope reflected. "This reveals that we are not truly satisfied with the passing achievements and certainties of this world."

Only the Risen Jesus alone can give us the true and lasting peace that sustains and fills us, Leo XIV taught. "In a world struggling with weariness and despair, let us be signs of hope, peace and joy of the Risen Christ."

He then greeted the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, adding "and your families", as he had done with the French-speaking pilgrims and visitors at the beginning. 

These were his words: "I am happy to welcome this morning the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors. Especially those from England, Wales, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Canada and the United States of America. 

With my best wishes and prayers that the current Jubilee of Hope may be for you and your families a time of grace and spiritual renewal. I invoke upon you all the joy and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ".

Support for families and childbirth

In the same vein, during his yesterday's visit to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, Pope Leo assured that along with peace, the family is at the center of his concerns. He underlined the "significant drop in the birth rate" in Europe. This calls for a commitment to "promote decisions at various levels in favor of the family. Supporting their efforts, promoting their values and protecting their needs and rights".

In his speech, the Vicar of Christ also pointed out "the importance of guaranteeing all families the indispensable support of a dignified job, under fair conditions. And attending to the needs related to maternity and paternity".

Let us do everything possible, he said, "to give confidence to families, especially young families, so that they can look serenely to the future and grow in harmony".

Protection of life

Furthermore, Leo XIV spoke of the protection of life, "in all its stages, from conception to old age, up to the moment of death". 

He also expressed gratitude for the assistance that Italy offers "with great generosity to migrants, who increasingly knock on its doors. As well as for its commitment in the fight against human trafficking".

The Resurrection of Christ transformed history

In his catechesis today, the Pope defined Who the Risen Jesus is for a Christian and for history, and quoted St. Augustine.

"The Risen Jesus is the guarantee of this coming! He is the source that quenches our burning thirst, the infinite thirst for fullness that the Holy Spirit instills in our hearts. The Resurrection of Christ, in fact, is not a simple event in human history, but the event that transformed it from within.

St. Augustine, in the tenth book of the Confessions, "captures this inexhaustible longing of our heart and expresses it in the famous Hymn to Beauty. 'Thou didst exhale thy fragrance, and I breathed, and now I sigh for thee; I tasted of thee, and I hunger and thirst; thou didst touch me, and I burned in thy peace' (X, 27, 38)".

Petition to St. John Paul II for parents and educators

In his words to the Polish-speaking pilgrims, Leo XIV said: "I ask with you the intercession of St. John Paul II, witness of hope and guide for young people. May he inspire teachers, catechists and educators to collaborate with parents in the formation of the conscience of the new generations". The 22nd of this month is the liturgical feast of St. John Paul II.