Pope Leo XIV says Advent "teaches us to pay attention to the signs of the times. We remember the first coming of Jesus, God with us....prepare for his return" FULL TEXT

JUBILEE AUDIENCE
CATECHESIS OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
St. Peter's Square on Saturday, December 6, 2025
___________________________________
Catechesis. 10. To Hope Is to Participate – Alberto Marvelli
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

We have recently entered the liturgical season of Advent, which teaches us to pay attention to the signs of the times. We remember the first coming of Jesus, God with us, to learn to recognize him each time he comes and to prepare for his return. Then we will be together forever. Together with him, with all our brothers and sisters, with every other creature, in this finally redeemed world: the new creation.

This waiting is not passive. In fact, the Birth of Jesus reveals to us an engaging God: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and later John the Baptist, the disciples, and all who encounter the Lord are involved, are called to participate . It is a great honor, and how dizzying! God involves us in his story, in his dreams. To hope, then, is to participate . The motto of the Jubilee, "Pilgrims of Hope," is not a slogan that will pass in a month! It is a program for life: "pilgrims of hope" means people who walk and wait, not with their hands in their pockets, but by participating.

The Second Vatican Council taught us to read the signs of the times: it tells us that no one can do it alone, but together, in the Church and with many brothers and sisters, we can read the signs of the times. They are signs of God, of God who comes with his Kingdom, through historical circumstances. God is not outside the world, outside of this life: we learned in the first coming of Jesus, God-with-us, to seek him among the realities of life. To seek him with intelligence, heart, and rolled-up sleeves! And the Council said that this mission belongs especially to the lay faithful, men and women, because the God who became incarnate comes to us in everyday situations. In the problems and beauties of the world, Jesus awaits us and engages us, asking us to work with him. This is why to hope is to participate!

Today I would like to recall a name: Alberto Marvelli, a young Italian who lived in the first half of the last century. Raised in the Gospel by his family, trained in Catholic Action, he graduated in engineering and entered social life during the Second World War, which he firmly condemned. In Rimini and the surrounding area, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to helping the wounded, the sick, and the displaced. Many admired his selfless dedication, and after the war, he was elected councilor and placed in charge of the Housing and Reconstruction Commission. Thus, he entered active political life, but while cycling to a rally, he was hit by a military truck. He was 28 years old. Alberto shows us that to hope is to participate, that serving the Kingdom of God brings joy even in the midst of great risks. The world becomes better if we lose a little security and tranquility to choose the good. This is participation.

Let us ask ourselves: am I participating in a good initiative that engages my talents? Do I have the horizon and the breath of the Kingdom of God when I perform some service? Or do I do it grumbling, complaining that everything is going badly? A smile on our lips is a sign of grace within us.

Hoping is participating: this is a gift from God to us. No one saves the world alone. And not even God wants to save it alone: ​​He could, but He doesn't want to, because together is better. Participating allows us to express and makes more our own what we will finally contemplate forever, when Jesus finally returns.

_____________________________

Saluti


I cordially greet the French-speaking people, especially the pilgrims from the Parish of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Voyage in La Seyne-sur-Mer and the group of couples from Grenoble. Brothers and sisters, in this Advent season, let us ask for the grace to be authentic pilgrims of hope and to actively participate in the coming of the Kingdom of peace and love of our God, incarnated in our history. God bless you!

I extend a warm welcome this morning to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from Australia, the Philippines and the United States of America. In praying that you may experience an increase in the virtue of hope during this Jubilee Year, I invoke upon all of you, and upon all your families, the joy and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all!

I cordially greet the Spanish-speaking pilgrims. Let us ask our Immaculate Mother to teach us to participate in building the City of God, offering our gifts joyfully and freely. May the Lord bless you. Thank you very much.

I cordially greet the Portuguese-speaking faithful. Always ask yourselves if your hope is active, that is, if you put the gifts and abilities God has given you at the service of those in need. Through the intercession of the Immaculate Conception, may God's blessing descend upon you and your families!

I cordially greet the Polish people. Remembering in the liturgy Saint Nicholas, a Bishop known for his sensitivity towards the needy, we learn that giving makes us happier than receiving. May frequent participation in the Holy Rotarian Masses help, especially children and young people, to develop the virtue of hope in the expectation of Holy Christmas. I bless you from the bottom of my heart !

* * *

I extend a warm welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the faithful of the Diocese of Novara, those of Avellino and Acireale, the Pastoral Unit of Corridonia, Colbuccaro, and Petriolo, the representatives of the Rotary Districts of Italy, the recipients of the Order of Merit of the Republic, and the Scuola Madre Giovanna Russolillo of Naples. May the Jubilee event be for each of you a renewed experience of faith, to be witnesses of hope in your families and in society.

Finally, my thoughts turn to young people, the sick, and newlyweds. I invite you to turn your gaze to Mary, so present in this season of Advent. May the Immaculate Virgin, who with her " yes " to the Angel Gabriel fully adhered to God's will, sustain you in your resolve to make the grace of the Jubilee fruitful.

My blessing to everyone!


Summary of Catechesis:

Dear brothers and sisters, as we continue our Jubilee catecheses we reflect on our call to participate in the life of God. In particular, God desires us to assist in his saving work here on earth. For example, today we spoke about Alberto Marvelli, a young Italian who during the Second World War dedicated himself to helping the wounded, the sick, and the homeless. Let us reflect on his selfless example, and ask ourselves if we too are willing to offer our lives for the Kingdom of God. As we begin this Advent season, let us prepare our hearts not only to recognize the ways that God comes to meet us, but also in the ways in which he asks us to participate in his life.

Greeting:

I extend a warm welcome this morning to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from Australia, the Philippines and the United States of America. In praying that you may experience an increase in the virtue of hope during this Jubilee Year, I invoke upon all of you, and upon all your families, the joy and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all!