In his message for the 58th World Day of Peace, which will take place on January 1, 2025, Pope Francis has entitled his message “Forgive us our offenses: grant us your peace.” This message, signed on December 8 at the Vatican, focuses on several current issues and offers three concrete proposals for the new year: the cancellation of foreign debt, the abolition of the death penalty and the creation of a global fund to eradicate hunger.
Message of hope and peace
Pope Francis begins his message by wishing peace to all people, especially those who feel overwhelmed by their situation. He stresses that 2025 will be a Jubilee Year dedicated to hope and God’s mercy, a time to renew faith and solidarity.
The Jubilee of 2025
The Pontiff recalls that the Catholic Church will celebrate the Jubilee in 2025, an event that fills us with hope and that has its roots in an ancient Jewish tradition that proclaimed a year of mercy and liberation every 49 years. This modern Jubilee seeks to restore God’s justice in all aspects of life, promoting equality and support for those most in need.
Global responsibility
The Pope’s message also highlights the shared responsibility of all in protecting our “common home.” Francis criticizes the exploitation and injustice that persist in the world, calling for a cultural change that recognizes the bond between all as children of the same Father.
Concrete proposals
Francis suggests three key actions to restore human dignity and foster hope:
- Forgiveness of external debt: The Pope urges the international community to forgive the external debts of the poorest countries, also recognizing an ecological debt that rich countries must settle.
- Abolition of the death penalty: Francis calls for the elimination of the death penalty worldwide, arguing that this practice destroys the hope of redemption and violates the inviolability of life.
- World fund against hunger: He proposes allocating a percentage of the global arms budget to the creation of a fund to eradicate hunger and promote sustainable development, especially in the poorest countries.
Peace and disarmament of the heart
The Pope stresses that true peace is achieved when hearts are disarmed, promoting gestures of friendship and solidarity. In his final message, Francis invokes God for peace for all, and exhorts world leaders and people of good will to work together for a more just and fraternal future.
This message from Pope Francis for the 58th World Day of Peace is an urgent call to global action to build a more just and peaceful world, where everyone can live with dignity and hope.
