Pope Francis welcomed the recent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel during his Sunday Angelus address while urging the faithful to “stand erect and raise your heads” amid global turmoil. The pontiff expressed hope that the diplomatic breakthrough could spark similar ceasefires elsewhere, particularly in Gaza. He also delivered a powerful message about maintaining spiritual vigilance in times of tribulation, encouraging the faithful to keep their hearts “light and awake” despite the challenges and anxieties of the world.
The pope noted that many people today are gripped by anxiety and fear, feeling that the end of the world is coming due to catastrophic events such as persecution, conflicts, and natural disasters. However, Jesus wants to free people from these anxieties and false convictions, showing them how to stay awake in their hearts and read events from the plan of God. The pope emphasized that God works for salvation even within the most dramatic events of history.
Pope Francis also expressed concern about the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, calling for peace and an end to violence. He noted that war is a horror that spares no one and is always a defeat for humanity. The pope also connected the message of hope during the Christmas season with contemporary challenges, encouraging people to ask themselves how they can have a “light heart, a wakeful heart, a free heart” despite the difficulties of life.
The Pope concluded his address with a stark warning about indifference to conflict, stating that the quest for peace is the responsibility of all people, not just a few. He emphasized that if habituation and indifference to the horrors of war prevail, the entire human family is defeated.