Pope Francis began the new year by denouncing the cruelty of war and its devastating impact on mothers who have lost their children to violence. During his first Angelus of 2025, the Pope reflected on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the 58th World Day of Peace. He addressed mothers, saying, “Mothers always have their children in their hearts. Today, on this first day of the year, dedicated to peace, let us think of all the mothers who are joyful in their hearts, and of all the mothers whose hearts are full of suffering, because their children have been taken away by violence, by arrogance, by hatred.”
The Pope reflected on the Gospel of the day, which tells of the arrival of the shepherds at the grotto of Bethlehem to see the newborn Baby Jesus. He explained that the encounter filled everyone with astonishment, as the shepherds shared what they had been told about the child. The Pope invited the faithful to reflect on what the shepherds saw in Bethlehem – the Child Jesus – and also on what they did not see – the heart of Mary, who guarded and meditated on all these things.
Pope Francis emphasized that Jesus is the revelation of God’s eternal love, which brings peace to the world. He explained that Mary’s heart corresponds to the newborn Messiah, manifesting the mercy of the Father. The Pope encouraged the faithful to ask themselves if they know how to remain silent in contemplation of Jesus’ birth, and how they can respond to the gift of salvation with a free gesture of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
After the Marian prayer, Pope Francis referred to the World Day of Peace, thanking all those who have promoted initiatives of prayer and commitment to peace. He expressed his gratitude to those working for dialogue and negotiation in conflict zones and prayed for an end to fighting and a determined effort for peace and reconciliation. The Pope specifically mentioned Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Myanmar, and Kivu, saying, “War destroys, it always destroys! War is always a defeat, always.”