During his Angelus address on the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Pope Francis called on the faithful to reflect on whether they actively pray for and care about those who face persecution for their faith in the world today.
The Pope reminded the congregation that God’s mercy is boundless and always extends forgiveness, a comforting truth he shared with the faithful on December 26th, as he spoke of St. Stephen's unwavering love even in the face of death. Earlier in the day, Pope Francis had opened a Holy Door at a Roman prison and celebrated Mass, following his earlier act of opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24th, marking the start of the Jubilee of Hope.
The Holy Father highlighted that St. Stephen’s martyrdom is remembered on this day, the day after Christmas. As the first Christian to be martyred, St. Stephen was stoned to death, but even in his final moments, as described in the Acts of the Apostles, he prayed for the forgiveness of his killers. The Pope reflected on how, at first glance, Stephen seems to be helplessly enduring violence, but in reality, he remains free in spirit, continuing to love even his persecutors and offering his life in sacrifice for them, just as Jesus did on the Cross.
Pope Francis praised St. Stephen as a profound witness to God's desire for salvation for all humanity, saying that Stephen's actions reflect the infinite mercy of God who seeks to save all people, leaving none behind. "St. Stephen is a witness of our Father, who desires only good for each of His children and never tires of reaching out to them, welcoming them back with open arms when they return to Him in repentance," the Pope emphasized.
The Pope lamented that, sadly, even today, many men and women around the world are persecuted—sometimes even to death—because of their faith in the Gospel. He explained that, just as Stephen did, these modern-day martyrs do not die out of weakness or in defense of an ideology, but to share the gift of salvation with everyone, including those who harm them, and they continue to pray for their persecutors.
Pope Francis also cited the example of Blessed Christian de Chergé, a martyr of recent times, who was one of the seven Trappist monks of Tibhirine martyred in 1996 during the Algerian civil war. De Chergé, before his death, described his future murderer as a "last-minute friend" in his spiritual testament. This powerful act of forgiveness and compassion, even in the face of death, left a profound legacy.
The Pope encouraged the faithful to ponder a few questions: “Do I desire for all people to know God and be saved? Do I wish well for those who cause me suffering? Do I take an active interest in and pray for those who are persecuted for their faith?”
In conclusion, Pope Francis asked for the intercession of Mary, Queen of Martyrs, to help everyone be bold witnesses of the Gospel, sharing the message of salvation with the world.