Pope Leo XIV says "Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: ‘Hope in the Lord!'" to Jubilee Volunteers
In the Paul VI Audience Hall, Pope Leo XIV started his Saturday, Jan. 10, morning by greeting all the authorities, as well as members of civil and ecclesial institutions who contributed to the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Specifically, the Pope expressed his gratitude to the Italian government, security forces, and all the Dicasteries involved, along with many others volunteers and collaborators.
FULL TEXT Address of Pope Leo XIV to the Collaborators and VOLUNTEERS of the JUBILEE
in the Vatican's Audience Hall on Saturday, 10 January 2026
_________________________________
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
“How much good there is in the world!”. I am taking these words of His Excellency Archbishop Fisichella, because you are the proof: how much good there is in the world! Thank you! Thank you, truly!
I greet His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the authorities present and the representatives of civil and ecclesiastical bodies which in various ways contributed to the Jubilee of Hope, which came to an end four days ago. Special mention goes to the Government of the Italian Republic, the Government Commissioner, the Municipality of Rome – in particular the Mayor and his organizational structure – and the Lazio Region; as well as to the Security Forces, the Prefecture, which coordinated the work, the Civil Protection and the numerous voluntary associations, and the “Jubilee 2000” Agency. I express special gratitude to the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World, and to the other Dicasteries involved, the Vatican Gendarmerie, the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the various Commissions – pastoral, cultural, communication, ecumenical, technical, economic –, to the Confessor Priests, to the representatives of the Dioceses and Episcopal Conferences, to the experts of various categories who participated in the individual events, and to the five thousand “Jubilee Volunteers” of all ages and backgrounds.
I express to all of you my heartfelt gratitude for your work, both during the demanding preparatory stages and throughout the Jubilee Year. You have made a multifaceted contribution, often hidden, always demanding and full of responsibility, thanks to which more than thirty million pilgrims were able to make the Jubilee journey and participate in the celebrations and events, in an atmosphere of festivity and at the same time of composure, recollection, order and organization. Thanks to you, Rome has offered everyone its welcoming face, that of an open, cheerful and at the same time discreet and respectful community, helping everyone to live this great moment of faith fruitfully.
The visit to the tombs of Peter and Paul, of the other Apostles and Martyrs, the journey towards the Holy Door, the experience of forgiveness and of God’s mercy, were for many people moments of fruitful encounter with the Lord Jesus, in which they were able to experience first-hand that “hope does not disappoint” (Rm 5:5), because He is living and walks in us and with us – in the salent moments of existence as in everyday normality – and because, with him, we can arrive at our destination. Saint Augustine writes, in this regard, that “Hope is very necessary for us in our exile … When the traveller, after all, finds it wearisome walking along, he puts up with the fatigue precisely because he hopes to arrive. Rob him of any hope of arriving, and straightaway his strength is broken for walking” (Sermon 158, 8). With your work, you helped many people to find and rediscover hope, and to resume the journey of life with renewed faith and intentions of charity (cf. 1Ts 1:2-3).
I would like to recall, in particular, the presence in Rome, on the occasion of the Jubilee, of so many young people and adults from all nations. It was beautiful to experience their enthusiasm first-hand, to witness their joy, to see the seriousness with which they prayed, meditated and celebrated, to observe them, so numerous and diverse, yet united, orderly (thanks also to your valuable service!), eager to get to know one another and to experience together moments of grace, fraternity and peace. Let us reflect on what they showed us. We are all, at various levels, responsible for their future, in which lies the future of the world. Let us ask ourselves, then, in light of what we have seen: what do they really need? What truly helps them to mature and give the best of themselves? Where can they find true answers to the deepest questions they carry in their hearts? Young people need healthy role models who point them towards goodness, love and holiness, as shown to us by Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Piergiorgio Frassati, who were canonized last September. Let us keep before us their clear and lively eyes, full of energy and at the same time so fragile: they can be of great help to us in discerning with wisdom and prudence the serious responsibilities that we have towards them.
In the Bull of Indiction of the Holy Year, Pope Francis concluded his powerful call to hope by saying: “Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: ‘Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!’” (Ps 27:14)” (Spes non confundit, 25). May this be the mandate we carry with us, as a fruitful continuation of the work accomplished, so that the many seeds of goodness that, thanks also to your help, the Lord has sown in so many hearts in recent months, may grow and develop.
At the end of this meeting, I am happy to be able to give each of you, as a small token of gratitude, the Jubilee Crucifix: a miniature of the cross with the glorious Christ that accompanied the pilgrims. May it remain with you as a reminder of this experience of collaboration. And so I bless you and wish you all the best for this new year. Thank you!
______________________________
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 10 January 2025
in the Vatican's Audience Hall on Saturday, 10 January 2026
_________________________________
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
“How much good there is in the world!”. I am taking these words of His Excellency Archbishop Fisichella, because you are the proof: how much good there is in the world! Thank you! Thank you, truly!
I greet His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the authorities present and the representatives of civil and ecclesiastical bodies which in various ways contributed to the Jubilee of Hope, which came to an end four days ago. Special mention goes to the Government of the Italian Republic, the Government Commissioner, the Municipality of Rome – in particular the Mayor and his organizational structure – and the Lazio Region; as well as to the Security Forces, the Prefecture, which coordinated the work, the Civil Protection and the numerous voluntary associations, and the “Jubilee 2000” Agency. I express special gratitude to the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World, and to the other Dicasteries involved, the Vatican Gendarmerie, the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the various Commissions – pastoral, cultural, communication, ecumenical, technical, economic –, to the Confessor Priests, to the representatives of the Dioceses and Episcopal Conferences, to the experts of various categories who participated in the individual events, and to the five thousand “Jubilee Volunteers” of all ages and backgrounds.
I express to all of you my heartfelt gratitude for your work, both during the demanding preparatory stages and throughout the Jubilee Year. You have made a multifaceted contribution, often hidden, always demanding and full of responsibility, thanks to which more than thirty million pilgrims were able to make the Jubilee journey and participate in the celebrations and events, in an atmosphere of festivity and at the same time of composure, recollection, order and organization. Thanks to you, Rome has offered everyone its welcoming face, that of an open, cheerful and at the same time discreet and respectful community, helping everyone to live this great moment of faith fruitfully.
The visit to the tombs of Peter and Paul, of the other Apostles and Martyrs, the journey towards the Holy Door, the experience of forgiveness and of God’s mercy, were for many people moments of fruitful encounter with the Lord Jesus, in which they were able to experience first-hand that “hope does not disappoint” (Rm 5:5), because He is living and walks in us and with us – in the salent moments of existence as in everyday normality – and because, with him, we can arrive at our destination. Saint Augustine writes, in this regard, that “Hope is very necessary for us in our exile … When the traveller, after all, finds it wearisome walking along, he puts up with the fatigue precisely because he hopes to arrive. Rob him of any hope of arriving, and straightaway his strength is broken for walking” (Sermon 158, 8). With your work, you helped many people to find and rediscover hope, and to resume the journey of life with renewed faith and intentions of charity (cf. 1Ts 1:2-3).
I would like to recall, in particular, the presence in Rome, on the occasion of the Jubilee, of so many young people and adults from all nations. It was beautiful to experience their enthusiasm first-hand, to witness their joy, to see the seriousness with which they prayed, meditated and celebrated, to observe them, so numerous and diverse, yet united, orderly (thanks also to your valuable service!), eager to get to know one another and to experience together moments of grace, fraternity and peace. Let us reflect on what they showed us. We are all, at various levels, responsible for their future, in which lies the future of the world. Let us ask ourselves, then, in light of what we have seen: what do they really need? What truly helps them to mature and give the best of themselves? Where can they find true answers to the deepest questions they carry in their hearts? Young people need healthy role models who point them towards goodness, love and holiness, as shown to us by Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Piergiorgio Frassati, who were canonized last September. Let us keep before us their clear and lively eyes, full of energy and at the same time so fragile: they can be of great help to us in discerning with wisdom and prudence the serious responsibilities that we have towards them.
In the Bull of Indiction of the Holy Year, Pope Francis concluded his powerful call to hope by saying: “Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: ‘Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!’” (Ps 27:14)” (Spes non confundit, 25). May this be the mandate we carry with us, as a fruitful continuation of the work accomplished, so that the many seeds of goodness that, thanks also to your help, the Lord has sown in so many hearts in recent months, may grow and develop.
At the end of this meeting, I am happy to be able to give each of you, as a small token of gratitude, the Jubilee Crucifix: a miniature of the cross with the glorious Christ that accompanied the pilgrims. May it remain with you as a reminder of this experience of collaboration. And so I bless you and wish you all the best for this new year. Thank you!
______________________________
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 10 January 2025
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