On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Pope Leo
Stefanie Stahlhofen – Vatican City
The Pope explained in more detail how God’s work in the world can be recognized during his lunchtime prayer this Sunday:
“Christ proclaims who he is by what he does. And what he does is a sign of salvation for all of us. For a life without light, without words and without taste takes on meaning again in the encounter with Jesus: the blind see, the mute speak, the deaf hear. The image of God, disfigured by leprosy, regains its integrity and health. Even the dead, completely insensate, return to life (cf. v. 5). This is the Gospel of Jesus, the Good news proclaimed to the poor: When God comes into the world, people notice it!”
Based on this idea, the Catholic head of the Angelus made a reference to Gaudete Sunday. For whoever pays attention to what God is doing in the world will also be able to “experience the joy of freedom that meets its Redeemer”:
„Rejoice in the Lord always – Rejoice in the Lord at all times!” (Phil 4.4). The Holy Mass of today, the third Sunday in Advent, begins with precisely this request Rejoice-Sunday is called. So let us rejoice, because Jesus is our hope, especially in times of trial, when life seems to lose its meaning and everything seems bleak, when words fail us and we struggle to listen to our neighbors.”
Hope even in prison
Pope Leo, who had previously celebrated a mass with prisoners for the current Holy Year, also discussed the day’s Gospel, which tells of John the Baptist, who is imprisoned for his sermons (cf. Mt 14,3-5).
Pope Leo at Mass with prisoners (@Vatican Media)
“Despite this, he does not lose hope and becomes a sign for us that the prophetic voice, even if it is in chains, remains a free voice that seeks truth and justice,” Pope Leo encouraged all people in difficult situations. Pope Francis proclaimed and opened the Holy Year 2025. Its motto is “Pilgrims of Hope.” After Francis’ death at the end of April, the new pope continued the celebrations of the Holy Year. On January 6, 2026, Leo will ceremoniously close the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, officially ending the Holy Year 2025.
(vatican news – sst)
