Pope Francis at the World Day of the Poor: “In the anguish of our time, there is an unshakable hope that shines”

“Jesus invites us to have a sharper gaze, to have eyes capable of ‘reading inside’ the events of history,” said the Holy Father on Sunday 17 November in his homily at Mass for the 8th World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Pope continued that we needed “to discover that, even in the anguish of our hearts and of our time, there is an unshakable hope that shines. On this World Day of the Poor, let us focus precisely on these two realities: anguish and hope, which always challenge each other to a duel in the field of our heart.”

The theme of “Hope which does not disappoint”, found at the heart of the next Jubilee, which will shortly begin, was at the center of Pope Francis's speech.

The Gospel of Mark (13:24-32) proclaimed yesterday, could, the Pope said “arouse feelings of anguish in us. In reality, it is a great announcement of hope. In fact, if on the one hand Jesus seems to describe the state of mind of those who have seen the destruction of Jerusalem and think that the end has now arrived, on the other hand He announces something extraordinary. Namely that it is in the hour of darkness and desolation, when everything seems to be collapsing, that God comes, God draws near, God gathers us together to save us.”

He continued: “Jesus invites us to have a sharper gaze, to have eyes capable of ‘reading inside’ the events of history, to discover that, even in the anguish of our hearts and of our time, there is an unshakeable hope that shines. On this World Day of the Poor, then, let us focus precisely on these two realities: anguish and hope, which always challenge each other to a duel in the field of our heart.

“Brothers and sisters, let us not forget: Christian hope, which was fulfilled in Jesus and is realized in his Kingdom, needs us, needs our commitment, needs a faith that manifests itself through charity, needs Christians who do not turn away."