Pope Francis kicked off the first Saturday jubilee audience of 2025 by urging pilgrims to embrace hope as a divine strength that enables new beginnings, drawing inspiration from St. John the Baptist. Speaking to pilgrims gathered in the Vatican’s audience hall on Jan. 11, the pontiff emphasized that hope is not merely a character trait but rather a theological virtue that represents “strength to be asked for” from God. “Many of you are here in Rome as ‘pilgrims of hope,’” Pope Francis said. “Indeed, the jubilee is a new beginning, the possibility for everyone to start anew from God. With the jubilee we start a new life, a new phase.”
The pope highlighted how the Latin word “virtus” means strength, explaining that hope, therefore, comes as a gift from God rather than existing as a mere habit or personality characteristic. The Catholic Church teaches that hope is one of the three theological virtues – along with faith and charity – which God pours into the hearts of the faithful. Drawing connections to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Francis reflected on John the Baptist as a “great prophet of hope,” noting how people flocked to him “longing for a new beginning.”
“Just as we today pass through the Holy Door, so John proposed to cross the river Jordan, entering the Promised Land as Joshua had done the first time,” the pope said, connecting the biblical narrative to the current jubilee year.
The jubilee audience marked the beginning of regular Saturday gatherings that will welcome pilgrims from around the world throughout the 2025 Jubilee Year. The first major calendar event of the 2025 holy year is the Jubilee of the World of Communications, scheduled for Jan. 24–26. The Vatican expects thousands of journalists and media professionals from around the world to come to Rome for the occasion.
Pope Francis taps Cardinal McElroy as Washington’s new archbishop
Pope Francis has tapped Cardinal Robert McElroy as the new archbishop of Washington, D.C., appointing one of his top U.S. allies, one of the American church’s most forceful defenders of migrants and a sharp critic of Donald Trump’s first administration just days before Trump takes office a second time.
McElroy of San Diego will succeed retiring Cardinal Wilton Gregory, 77, who has led the Washington Archdiocese since 2019, where he became the city’s first African American archbishop. In 2020, Francis elevated him to the College of Cardinals, making him the first Black U.S. cardinal.
Over the last decade, McElroy has become one of the most vocal champions of Pope Francis’ pastoral agenda among the U.S. hierarchy. He has frequently echoed the pope’s prioritization of migrants and refugees, environmental concerns and a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ people.
The pope’s selection of a prelate who has not shied from implicit criticism of Trump comes just after Trump announced his selection of a sharp critic of Francis to be the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See – which also marks a contrast to the warm relations the pontiff has enjoyed with President Joe Biden.
McElroy, 70, was first made an auxiliary bishop of San Francisco in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and then named bishop of San Diego by Francis in 2015. In 2022, the pope made him a cardinal. He has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, and a master’s in U.S. history and a doctorate in political science from Stanford University, among other degrees.
In the U.S. church, McElroy has struck a contrast to many of the more traditionalist bishops in the U.S. and has become one of the leading proponents of Francis’ push for synodality, which focuses on greater lay involvement in the life of the church.
Pope: ‘I’m not considering resigning but would be ‘bishop emeritus of Rome’
The Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera” releases several passages from Pope Francis’ autobiographical book entitled “Life. My Story in History,” written with Vatican journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, set to be released on March 19 by HarperCollins.
In the passages released, the Pope clarified that were he to resign, he would not choose to be called “Pope Emeritus” but simply “Bishop Emeritus of Rome.” In that case, he would live in the Basilica of St. Mary Major “to return to being a confessor and bring communion to the sick.”
The Pope clarified this possible scenario in case of his resignation, which, however, he emphasized, “is a distant hypothesis” because there are no “so serious reasons” to consider this possibility, which he said he never considers, “despite moments of difficulty.” There are no “conditions for a resignation,” according to Pope Francis, unless “a serious physical impediment” arose, in which case a “letter of resignation” deposited in the Secretariat of State signed by Bergoglio at the beginning of his pontificate would apply. He added that the possibility remains remote, since the Pope “is in good health and, God willing, there are many projects still to be realized.”
Parolin meets Middle East Nuncios, speaks with Lebanon’s new President
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, presided over a meeting on Jan-uary 13 with the Apostolic Nun-cios in the Middle Eastern region in Jordan’s capital of Amman, where he travelled for the conse-cration of the Church of the Baptism of Jesus along the banks of the Jordan River.
According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, the meeting was attended by the papal representatives accredited to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Iraq, the State of Israel, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Lebanon, the Sulta-nate of Oman, the State of Pale-stine, the State of Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the Republic of Yemen.
In an interview with Vatican News in Jordan following the Church’s consecration, the Vati-can Secretary of State expressed his hopes for positive develop-ments in Syria and with the ele-ction of the new president of Lebanon.
During the meeting, the statement explained, “the ongoing crises in the region, the political and ecclesial situation in each country, signs of hope in some areas, and the severe humani-tarian conditions affecting popu-lations most impacted by conflicts were discussed.”
The statement continued, “It is hoped that the ceasefire on every front will come soon and that the Middle East can become a land of peace, where Christians remain an essential component for fraternal coexistence among religions and for the progress of their respective countries.”
Biden awards top honour to Pope Francis: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In a historic announcement on January 11, President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presi-dential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian honour in the United States. This marks the first time President Biden has bestowed this exce-ptional level of recognition since taking office, emphasizing the profound impact of Pope Francis on global peace, humanitarian values, and the promotion of unity across cultures and religions. Biden telephoned the Pope on Saturday, January 11, and inform-ed him of this recognition.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom honours individuals who have made extraordinary contri-butions to society, whether throu-gh enhancing prosperity, safe-guarding security, or fostering world peace. The “with Distinct-ion” designation, an exceptionally rare honour, underscores the unparalleled influence of Pope Francis in addressing issues such as poverty, climate change, and the need for compassion in a divided world. President Biden praised the Pontiff’s relentless efforts to champion the dignity of all individuals, saying, His Holi-ness Pope Francis embodies the moral clarity and humility that inspire not only Catholics but people of all faiths around the world. He is a beacon of hope and a reminder of the transforma-tive power of love and service.”
Under Secretary of Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches Assigned Titular See of Aquae in Mauritania
Pope Francis has assigned the Under Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches, Mons. Filippo Ciampanelli, the Titular See of Aquae in the Northwestern African nation of Mauritania. The assigning of Mons. Ciampanelli the Maurita-nian Titular See was published by the Holy See Press office on Sunday, January 12. Born in July 1978 in the Catholic Diocese of Novara in Italy, the Under Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches was ordained a Priest for the same Diocese in June 2003.
A participant in the Synod on Synodality, the multi-year XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which Pope Francis officially inaugurated in 2021 and later extended to 2024, Mons. Ciampanelli was a member of the Synod on Synodality Study Groups.
The Vatican official, who read Pope Francis’ spiritual reflection on “the passion for evangeli-zation,” when the Pontiff was having health complications in November 2023 has been assigned the Titular See that was esta-blished in 1933.
Titular Sees are Episcopal Sees that once existed but no longer function as such due to historical circumstances, such as Catholic and Christian population shifts or suppression.
The Catholic Culture, describes Titular Sees as “some two thousand ancient Catholic dioceses and archdioceses whose titles are now given to those bishops who do not occupy residential sees” including Auxiliary Bishops, Coadjutor Bishops, Vicars Apostolic, as well as “officials of the Roman Curia.”
Often located in Asia Minor, North Africa, the Balkans, and parts of Europe such as Greece, these territories became extinct “after the Moslems had destroyed the Church in these lands”, the Catholic Culture has explained.
Black Nazarene procession attracts millions in the Philippines
The Black Nazarene procession in Manila, Philippines, which annually attracts one of the world’s largest crowds for a reli-gious devotion, attracted hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims on Jan. 9. Taking place each year in January, the procession, known locally as “Traslacion,” sees devotees carry across Manila a replica of a famous life-size statue of Jesus carrying a black wooden cross. The Philippines and East Timor are the only countries in Asia that are majority Catholic, with over 80% of the population of the Philippines belonging to the Church.
The procession’s organizers estimated that about 220,000 people attended Mass before the start of the procession, Rappler reported, and at least 800,000 peo-ple were gathered at the church Thursday evening, according to the Philippine Star. Hundreds of thousands more joined the proce-ssion as it went by. As in past years, many of the devotees were barefoot and some even jumped onto the float and clutched at the cross carried by the famous statue.
The image of Jesus used in the procession is believed to have been brought from Mexico to Filipino shores in 1606 by missio-naries of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. The life-size statue of Jesus is today enshrined in the famous minor basilica popularly known as the Quiapo Church, located in the Archdiocese of Manila. First enshrined at St. John the Baptist Church in Luneta, the image was transferred to Quiapo in 1868.
Syria’s Christians voice relief, seek further security guarantees after political shift
More than a month after Syria’s political shift, Christians there are vocalizing a sense of relief as initial assurances for their safety and security by the de facto government have report-edly been provided. Christians continue to seek more concrete guarantees, although opinions differ on what form these guara-ntees should take.
For some Christians, the Church remains their primary safeguard, as it has been since Ottoman rule. In this view, clergy are in charge of representing their communities in political and legal arenas.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch, John X (Yazigi), is the most visible Christian leader in Syria, along-side the Latin apostolic vicar, Bishop Hanna Jallouf. The latter enjoys a longstanding and strong relationship with the new authori-ties. He recently visited his home-town and parish (Al-Qaniya, Idlib countryside) for the first time since his episcopal appointment, where he was warmly received.
Despite an important meeting between church leaders and re-presentatives with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s new administration, three patriarchs based in Damascus were notably absent. The absence was report-edly due to the customary visit of Patriarch Yazigi to congratulate the new leader – a visit that tradi-tionally precedes any other meet-ings with clergy.
China’s oldest priest dies at 104: a life of faith amid 25 years of persecution
China’s oldest priest has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of brave adherence to the faith of the Catholic Church in the face of persecution. Father Joseph Guo Fude, SVD, died on Dec. 30, 2024, two months from what would have been his 105th birthday. He was one of the few remaining Catholic priests in China who had been ordained prior to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
“Father Guo is a symbol of the courageous faith and extraordinary suffering of China’s Catholics,” Benedict Rogers, human rights activist and author of “The China Nexus: Thirty Years in and Around the Chinese Communist Party’s Tyranny,” told CNA. Rogers noted that although the priest had “spent a quarter of a century in prison,” he continued serving and ministering to his people through his 90s. “He treated prison not as the harsh injustice that it was but as an opportunity to grow in faith, spirituality, and prayer.” According to AsiaNews, which reported the Chinese cleric’s passing, Guo spent a total of 25 years in prison during his lifetime.
“Looking back on my life,” Guo reportedly wrote following the occasion of his 100th birthday, “prison became a place where I could reflect, pray, and grow spiritually … My imprisonment gave me the strength to face life’s challenges and continue to serve God, knowing that every trial was part of his divine plan. My experience in prison taught me that earthly riches are ephemeral, while faith in God is the only true wealth.”
One step closer to sainthood: Thailand honours its blessed martyrs
Before the Eucharistic celebration comme-morating the Feast of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kritbamrung in Samphran, west of Bangkok, on January 12, the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, presented relics of the eight martyrs to Archbishop-elect Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bangkok and to six bishops and representatives from its suffragan dioceses: Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani.
The relics, encased in newly crafted reliqua-ries, symbolize the unity of these eight martyrs, who lived and died for their faith during a time of persecution in the mid-20th century.
In his homily, Archbishop Wells highlighted the martyrs’ courage, saying, “They were bap-tized into Christ first in water and then in blood.” He challenged the faithful to draw inspiration from their sacrifices and to live out their baptismal promises with convi-ction.
Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) resol-ved to unify the canonization causes of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kritbam-rung of Bangkok and the Seven Blessed Martyrs of Songkhon. The decision underscores their shared witness to Christ during a period of political and social turmoil between 1940 and 1944, when Christianity was targeted as a “foreign religion.”
Blessed Nicholas, a priest from Samphran, his hometown, ministered to his flock amid persecution. Sentenced to 15 years of imprison-ment, he baptized 66 fellow prisoners while incarcerated. Despite enduring nine months of illness, he remained steadfast in his faith and passed away in prison in 1944 at the age of 49.
Meanwhile, in the Catholic village of Song-khon, catechist Philip Siphong and six women, including two nuns, who chose martyrdom rather than renouncing their faith.
Their sacrifices were recognized by Pope John Paul II, who beatified the seven Songkhon martyrs in 1989 and Blessed Nicholas in 2000.