Pope Leo XIV emphasized God’s boundless capacity to forgive, lift up, and restore trust as part of his catechesis series on “Jesus Christ Our Hope,”
Newsroom (01/10/2025, Gaudium Press )During his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a profound reflection on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of Christian hope, emphasizing God’s boundless capacity to forgive, lift up, and restore trust. Continuing his catechesis series on “Jesus Christ Our Hope,” the Holy Father urged the faithful to emulate Christ’s example of overcoming wounds without resentment, drawing inspiration from the transformative power of the Resurrection.
The Resurrection: A Triumph of Love
Pope Leo XIV began by underscoring that the Resurrection is not merely a miraculous event but a testament to the enduring power of love. “Jesus’ Resurrection is not a bombastic triumph, nor is it revenge or retaliation against his enemies,” the Pope said. “It is a wonderful testimony to how love is capable of rising again after a great defeat in order to continue its unstoppable journey.”
The Holy Father contrasted human tendencies with Christ’s approach, noting that while people often react to trauma with anger or a desire for retribution, Jesus emerges from death with meekness, demonstrating “a love greater than any wound and stronger than any betrayal.”
A Message of Peace and Reconciliation
Reflecting on Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, Pope Leo highlighted the Lord’s gentle approach to His disciples. Rather than asserting superiority, Jesus entered the Upper Room—where the disciples were “paralyzed by fear”—and offered them peace. “Peace be with you!” the Pope recalled, describing the greeting as strikingly simple yet profound, accompanied by Jesus showing His wounds as a sign of reconciliation, not reproach.
“Even in the moment of our failure, God did not retreat. He did not give up on us,” Pope Leo affirmed, explaining that Christ’s wounds are not a reminder of betrayal but a guarantee of forgiveness. The Resurrection, he noted, does not erase the past but transforms it “into a hope of mercy.”
The Mission of the Church
The Pope emphasized that Jesus entrusted the Apostles with the mission of reconciliation, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them to empower their work. “From that moment,” he said, “the Apostles would no longer be able to remain silent about what they have seen and heard: that God forgives, lifts up, and restores trust.”
This mission extends to all Christians, Pope Leo stressed. The Church’s role is not to wield power but to share “the joy of those who are loved precisely when they did not deserve it.” He called on the faithful to be witnesses of Christ’s peace, reflecting the same mercy and forgiveness exemplified by the Risen Lord.
A Call to the Faithful
In closing, Pope Leo XIV reminded the gathered pilgrims that they, too, are sent to embody Christ’s peace. “The Lord shows us His wounds and says: Peace be with you,” the Pope said, urging Christians to carry this message into the world. The Resurrection, he concluded, is the source of hope that empowers believers to rise above wounds, forgive without resentment, and restore trust in a fractured world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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