During his Angelus address on 24 November, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel of John, where Jesus converses with Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion. The Holy Father delved into two key words that take on a new meaning through the figure of Christ: king and world. Pope Francis emphasized that Jesus’ power is not based on dominion but on his true word that transforms the world.
The Pope explained that Jesus redefines the concept of kingship, which is not about earthly power, but about witnessing the truth. “Jesus is king because he is a witness: he is the One who tells the truth,” he stressed. The kingdom of Christ, Francis noted, is not based on submission, but on love and self-giving. “The world of which Jesus is King rescues creation ruined by evil with the power of divine love,” he said.
Pope Francis also reflected on the concept of “world,” highlighting the stark contrast between Pilate’s world, ruled by force and power, and the world of Jesus, which is completely different. “Pilate’s world is one where the strong triumph over the weak, the rich over the poor, the violent over the meek… Jesus is King, but his kingdom is not of this world,” he explained.
The Pope invited the faithful to examine their own lives in the light of Christ’s kingdom. “What is your soul like? Is there something heavy inside? Some old guilt? Jesus always forgives. Jesus never tires of forgiving. This is the Kingdom of Jesus,” he said. Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to reflect on their relationship with Christ as King of their lives, asking, “Can I say that Jesus is my ‘king’? Or do I have other ‘kings’ within my heart?”