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This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, titular of Belcastro, Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, with the Reverend Sr. Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., President of the Governorate of Vatican City State;

- Members of the “European Conservatives and Reformists” Group of the European Parliament.

This morning’s General Audience took place at 10.00 in Saint Peter’s Square, where the Holy Father Leo XIV met with groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and all over the world.

In his address in Italian, the Pope resumed the cycle of catechesis that will continue throughout the entire Jubilee Year, “Jesus Christ our hope”, focusing on the theme The Resurrection of Christ and the challenges of the contemporary world. The Pasch of Jesus Christ: the final answer to the question of our death (Lk 23:52-54).

After summarizing his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed special greetings to the faithful present. Then, saddened by the news of the renewed conflict along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, he expressed his closeness in prayer to the peoples, calling upon the parties to cease fire and resume dialogue.

The General Audience concluded with the recitation of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.

 

Cycle of Catechesis – Jubilee 2025. Jesus Christ our hope. IV. The Resurrection of Christ and the challenges of the contemporary world. 7. The Pasch of Jesus Christ: the final answer to the question of our death (Lk 23:52-54)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! Welcome to you all!

The mystery of death has always raised profound questions in human beings. Indeed, it seems to be the most natural and at the same time most unnatural event that exists. It is natural, because every living being on earth dies. It is unnatural, because the desire for life and eternity that we all feel for ourselves and for the people we love makes us see death as a sentence, as a “contradiction”.

Many ancient peoples developed rites and customs linked to the cult of the dead, to accompany and to recall those who journeyed towards the supreme mystery. Today, however, we see a different trend. Death seems to be a sort of taboo, an event to keep at a distance; something to be spoken of in hushed tones, to avoid disturbing our sensibilities and our tranquillity. This is often why we avoid visiting cemeteries, where those who have gone before us rest as they await resurrection.

So what is death? Is it truly the last word on our lives? Only human beings ask themselves this question, because only they know they must die. But being aware of this does not save them from death; on the contrary, in a certain sense it “burdens” them compared to other living creatures. Animals suffer, of course, and they realize that death is near, but they do not know that death is part of their destiny. They do not question the meaning, purpose and outcome of life.

Considering this aspect, one might then think that we are paradoxical, unhappy creatures, not only because we die, but also because we are certain that this event will happen, even though we do not know how or when. We find ourselves aware and at the same time powerless. This is probably where the frequent repressions and existential flights from the question of death originate.

Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, in his famous work Apparecchio alla morte (Preparation for Death), reflects on the pedagogical value of death, emphasizing that it can be a great teacher of life. To know that it exists, and above all to reflect on it, teaches us to choose what we really want to make of our existence. Praying, in order to understand what is beneficial in view of the kingdom of heaven, and letting go of the superfluous that instead binds us to ephemeral things, is the secret to living authentically, in the awareness that our passage on earth prepares us for eternity.

Yet many current anthropological views promise immanent immortality, theorize the prolongation of earthly life through technology. This is the transhuman scenario, which is making its way into the horizon of the challenges of our time. Could death really be defeated by science? But then, could science itself guarantee us that a life without death is also a happy life?

The event of the Resurrection of Christ reveals to us that death is not opposed to life, but rather is a constitutive part of it, as the passage to eternal life. The Pasch of Jesus gives us a foretaste, in this time still full of suffering and trials, of the fullness of what will happen after death.

The Evangelist Luke seems to grasp this harbinger of light in the dark when, at the end of that afternoon when darkness had shrouded Calvary, he writes: “It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning” ( Lk 23:54). This light, which anticipates Easter morning, already shines in the darkness of the sky, which still appears overcast and mute. The lights of the Sabbath, for the first and only time, herald the dawn of the day after the Sabbath : the new light of the Resurrection. Only this event is capable of illuminating the mystery of death to its full extent. In this light, and only in this, what our heart desires and hopes becomes true: that death is not the end, but the passage towards full light, towards a happy eternity.

The Risen One has gone before us in the great trial of death, emerging victorious thanks to the power of divine Love. Thus, he has prepared for us the place of eternal rest, the home where we are awaited; he has given us the fullness of life in which there are no longer any shadows and contradictions.

Thanks to Him, who died and rose again for love, with Saint Francis we can call death our “sister”. Awaiting it with the sure hope of the Resurrection preserves us from the fear of disappearing forever and prepares us for the joy of life without end.

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Summary of the Holy Father's words

Dear brothers and sisters:

In today’s catechesis, we continue our reflection on the Jubilee theme of “Jesus Christ our Hope,” by considering death in the light of the Resurrection.  As human beings, we are aware that our life here on earth will one day come to an end. Our present culture tends to fear death and seeks to avoid thinking about it, even turning to medicine and science in search of immortality. The Gospel passage we listened to invites us to look forward to the dawn of the Resurrection. Jesus has passed from death to life as the firstfruit of a new creation. The light of his victory illuminates our own mortality, reminding us that death is not the end, but a passing from this life into eternity. Therefore, death is not something to be feared, but rather a moment to prepare for. It is an invitation to examine our lives and so live in such a way that we may one day share not only in the death of Christ, but also in the joy of eternal life.

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Greeting in English

I extend a warm welcome this morning to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from England, Wales, Malta, Uganda, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States of America.  I pray that each of you, and your families, may experience a blessed Advent in preparation for the coming of the new born Jesus, Son of God and Savior of the world.  God bless you all!

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Appeal

I am deeply saddened by the news of the renewed conflict along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, which has claimed civilian lives and forced thousands of people to flee their homes. I express my closeness in prayer to these dear peoples, and I call on the parties to immediately cease fire and resume dialogue.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience a delegation of the European Conservatories and Reformists Group of the European Parliament.

The following is the address delivered by the Holy Father to those present:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Good morning to you all, and welcome to the Vatican.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to greet your Delegation on the occasion of your participation in the ECR Group Conference being held during these days here in Rome.

First, I would like to thank you for your work in serving not only those you represent in the European Parliament but all the people in your communities. In fact, to hold any high office within society comes with the responsibility to advance the common good. I especially encourage you, therefore, never to lose sight of the forgotten ones, those on the margins, those whom Jesus Christ called “the least” among us (cf.  Lk 9:48). 

As democratically elected officials, you reflect a range of views that sit within a wider spectrum of diverse opinions. Indeed, one of the essential purposes of a parliament is to enable such views to be expressed and discussed. Yet the mark of any civilized society is that differences are debated with courtesy and respect, for the ability to disagree, listen attentively, and even to enter into dialogue with those whom we may regard as opponents. This bears witness to our reverence for the God-given dignity of all men and women. I invite you, then, to look to Saint Thomas More, the patron of politicians, whose wisdom, courage and defence of conscience are a timeless inspiration for those who seek to foster the wellbeing of society.

In this regard, I readily echo the appeal of my recent predecessors that European identity can only be understood and promoted in reference to its Judeo-Christian roots. The purpose of protecting the religious legacy of this continent, however, is not simply to safeguard the rights of its Christian communities, nor is it primarily a question of preserving particular social customs or traditions, which in any case vary from place to place, and throughout history. It is above all a recognition of fact. Moreover, everyone is a beneficiary of the contribution that the members of the Christians communities have made and continue to make for the good of European society. We need only call to mind some of the important developments in Western civilization, especially the cultural treasures of its towering cathedrals, sublime art and music, and advances in science, not to mention the growth and spread of the universities. These developments create an intrinsic link between Christianity and European history, a history which should be cherished and celebrated.

In a particular way, I think of the rich ethical principles and patterns of thought that are the intellectual patrimony of Christian Europe. These are essential for safeguarding the divinely bestowed rights and inherent worth of every human person, from conception to natural death. They are likewise fundamental for responding to the challenges presented by poverty, social exclusion, economic deprivation, as well as by the ongoing climate crisis, violence and war. To ensure that the voice of the Church, not least through her social doctrine, continues to be heard, is not about the restoration of a past epoch, but of guaranteeing that key resources for future cooperation and integration are not lost.

Here, I would reiterate the importance of what  Pope Benedict XVI  identified as the necessary dialogue between “the world of reason and the world of faith – the world of secular rationality and the world of religious belief” ( Address to Civil Society , Westminster Hall, London, 17 September 2010). Indeed, this public conversation, in which politicians have a highly significant role, is vital for respecting the specific competence of each, as well as for supplying what the other needs, namely a mutually “purifying” role for ensuring that neither falls prey to distortions (cf. ibid.). My prayer is that you will play your own part in engaging positively in this important dialogue, not only for the sake of the people of Europe, but of our entire human family.

With these few thoughts, I assure you of a remembrance in my payers, and I invoke upon you and your families God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace. Thank you.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- His Excellency Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, and entourage.

This morning, 9 December 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in Audience, at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, His Excellency Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

During the cordial talks, which focused on the war in Ukraine, the Holy Father reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace.

In addition, the questions of prisoners of war and the need to assure the return of Ukrainian children to their families were also discussed.