Pope Leo XIV thanks institutions behind the Jubilee Year of Hope, honoring their service and urging continued witness to faith and hope.
Newsroom (10/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) In a heartfelt address inside the Paul VI Audience Hall on Saturday morning, Pope Leo XIV gathered with representatives of the many civil and ecclesial institutions that made the Jubilee Year of Hope a success. His words were both gratitude and commission — a note of thanks for the year’s collaborative achievements and a reminder to carry hope forward beyond the closing of the Holy Doors.
The Pope extended his deep appreciation to the Italian government, the security forces, and the numerous Dicasteries of the Holy See whose unseen but essential labor made the Jubilee accessible to all. Their “multifaceted contribution,” he said, often unfolded quietly, demanding a profound sense of duty and coordination. Because of their effort, over thirty million pilgrims were able to journey through Rome, crossing the Holy Door and walking paths of faith that spanned continents and cultures.
Pilgrimage as a Pathway to Hope
Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of the Jubilee, Pope Leo drew upon a phrase from St. Augustine: “hope is necessary in the condition of pilgrims.” The Holy Father described the pilgrimage experience as one that breathes life into hope, transforming it from an abstract virtue into a tangible encounter. Each volunteer, he explained, helped pilgrims rediscover this “hope that does not disappoint,” acting as unseen custodians of grace along the way.
What impressed the Pope most was the diversity and vitality of young pilgrims who filled Rome’s streets. “They were so different from one another, yet united and orderly,” he noted—“also thanks to your precious service.” He called their presence a “beautiful witness” to the universal nature of the Church. But with this beauty, he reminded the audience, comes responsibility: What do these young people truly need? Where can they discover the answers to the deepest questions of their hearts?
Pope Leo encouraged volunteers and church leaders alike to become living examples of holiness for the next generation. He pointed to modern saints such as St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis as models of youthful faith in action—proof that holiness can flourish in the everyday life of believers.
The Enduring Mandate of Hope
Recalling his predecessor Pope Francis’s Bull of Indiction that opened the Holy Door in 2024, Pope Leo echoed the call to “let hope become contagious.” The work of the Jubilee, he emphasized, is not over; it is a seed meant to grow, spreading through lives touched during the Holy Year. “Let it be the mandate we carry with us,” he said, “as a fruitful continuation of the work accomplished.”
To mark this continuation, Pope Leo presented each participant with a small but meaningful gift: the Jubilee Crucifix, a miniature cross bearing the image of the glorious Christ that had accompanied millions of pilgrims. This token, he explained, would serve as a reminder of the sacred responsibility they now carry—to nurture the hope sown during the Jubilee and let it flourish in their communities.
With the conclusion of his address, Pope Leo imparted his blessing: “I bless you and wish you every good for this new year. Thank you!” His words captured the essence of the Jubilee itself—a celebration that ended not with closure, but with a renewed beginning rooted in service, gratitude, and enduring hope.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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