Pope Francis' Lenten message

Friday, Mar. 07, 2025

In his Lenten message for this year, Pope Francis reflected “on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community,” [italics original].

2025 is a Jubilee Year, which has as its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” In his Lenten message, Pope Francis writes that this motto “evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.”

Each person is invited to reflect on the fact that everyone is a pilgrim in this life, and ask themselves whether they are on a journey or standing still, “either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone?” the Holy Father writes, adding, “It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father. This would be a good ‘examination of conscience’ for all of us wayfarers.”

Christians “are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travelers,” he continued. To journey together “means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded.”

The pope asks that the focus of this year’s Lenten journey be “the hope that does not disappoint,” (cf Rom 5:5), which is also the central message of the Jubilee Year.

“This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs,” Pope Francis wrote.

He suggested people ask themselves, “Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?”

Visit https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/02/25/250225b.html for the  full text of the pope’s message.