Pope French calls deacons to forgiveness and selflessness

Pope French calls deacons to forgiveness and selflessness

A significant event took place in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Sunday, February 23, 2025: the Holy Year celebration for almost 7,000 deacons from all over the world that are pilgrimed to Rome. Due to his health constitution, Pope Francis is currently suffering from a respiratory disease and is in the Roman Gemelli Clinic, his sermon was read out by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. He urged the gathered for prayer for the recovery of the 88-year-old. The event was a festive framework to consecrate 23 men from Europe, Latin America and the USA as a deacon, such as Vatican News reported.

In his sermon, the Pope emphasized that deacons should be "apostles of forgiveness" and asked them to selflessly work on people. Francis' message included the call for forgiveness to strengthen interpersonal relationships. "A world in which there is only hatred for the opponents is a world without hope," he emphasized, called on to create a future of peace together based on forgiveness. The deacons should help to renew relationships and actively work for the well -being of others, the Pope continued. Fisichella added: "Your unanimous and university action will be such a bridge that connects the altar with the street," reported CAPE.

Forgiveness and community in focus

A central point of the celebration was the established value of the community. It was emphasized how important it was to open up to the needy and to live a culture of selflessness. The deacons were encouraged to create safe spaces in their communities. Archbishop Fisichella also specially addressed the constant deacons, which are often married and thus also take a role model function in their families. The meeting not only attracted deacons from Italy and the USA, but also numerous participants from countries such as France, Spain, Brazil, Germany and Mexico, all of which took part in this important event.