On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Leo XIV reflects on John the Baptist’s doubt from prison, urging believers to recognize Jesus through His works of healing and justice
Newsroom (14/12/2025 Gaudium Press ) Addressing thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the traditional Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV drew inspiration from the Gospel account of John the Baptist imprisoned yet undeterred in his pursuit of truth, presenting the precursor as a powerful symbol of prophetic resilience in the face of adversity.
“Today’s Gospel places us in jail with John the Baptist,” the Holy Father began, noting that the Baptist’s imprisonment stemmed from his bold preaching. Yet even in chains, John “does not lose hope,” retaining “the ability to use his voice in the pursuit of truth and justice.” Pope Leo described this perseverance as a sign that the Word of God cannot be silenced, even when its messengers are deprived of freedom.
From his cell, John hears reports of Jesus’ ministry—works that differ from his own fiery expectations of the Messiah. Prompted by uncertainty, he dispatches disciples with the direct question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?” The Pope observed that this question resonates through the ages, reaching all who “seek truth and justice” and “long for freedom and peace.”
Rather than offering a doctrinal declaration, Jesus points to concrete actions. “It is the least, the poor, the sick who speak on his behalf,” Pope Leo emphasized. Christ reveals His identity through deeds: the blind regain sight, the mute speak, the deaf hear, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and good news is proclaimed to the poor. “When God comes into the world, it is clearly seen,” the Holy Father declared.
These signs, he continued, extend beyond physical healing. Christ opens human eyes to God’s glory, restores voice to the oppressed silenced by violence and hatred, overcomes ideologies that deafen people to truth, and heals distortions of body and spirit. Ultimately, the Word of life redeems hearts from the death brought by evil.
In the context of Advent, Pope Leo urged the faithful to unite expectant hope with attentive awareness of God’s present action in the world. Such attentiveness, he said, enables believers to experience “the joy of freedom in encountering our Savior.”
Quoting St. Paul—“Gaudete in Domino semper – Rejoice in the Lord always”—the Pope highlighted the special character of the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. This joy, he stressed, persists even amid trials, when life appears meaningless, darkness prevails, words fail, and understanding others becomes difficult. Jesus remains “our hope” in precisely such moments.
Concluding his reflection, Pope Leo XIV invoked the Virgin Mary as the model of “expectant hope, attentiveness, and joy,” asking her intercession so that disciples might imitate her Son by sharing both bread and the Gospel with the poor.
Following the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father commemorated two beatifications that occurred the previous day. In Jaén, Spain, Father Emanuele Izquierdo and 58 companions, along with Father Antonio Montañés Chiquero and 64 companions, were declared blessed—martyrs killed in hatred of the faith during Spain’s religious persecution of 1936–1938. In Paris, Raymond Cayré, a priest; Gérard-Martin Cendrier, a Franciscan friar; Roger Vallé, a seminarian; Jean Mestre, a layman; and 46 companions were beatified for their martyrdom under Nazi occupation in 1944–1945. Pope Leo praised these “courageous witnesses to the Gospel” who remained faithful to the Church and close to their people despite deadly persecution.
The Pope also expressed “deep concern” over renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, affirming his closeness to the suffering population and calling on all parties to end violence and pursue constructive dialogue in respect for ongoing peace efforts.
Finally, Pope Leo XIV extended warm greetings to pilgrims from numerous countries and Italian localities before imparting his apostolic blessing and wishing all a happy Sunday.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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