In his final Lenten reflection for 2025, Father Roberto Pasolini, Preacher of the Papal Household, delved into the profound spiritual significance of Jesus' Ascension, highlighting the grace inherent in knowing when and how to say goodbye. Addressing the Roman Curia, Fr. Pasolini emphasized that farewells, when approached with faith and hope, can be transformative experiences that open the door to deeper communion and renewed purpose.

Fr. Pasolini centered his meditation on the moment of Jesus' Ascension, portraying it as a deliberate and loving act of stepping aside. He noted that Jesus' departure was not an abandonment but a restoration of freedom to history and an expansion of hope's boundaries. By ascending, Jesus entrusted His disciples with the mission to carry forward His message, thus fostering a universal and inclusive hope that transcends time and space.

Reflecting on the poignant encounter between the risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene, Fr. Pasolini illustrated the journey from sorrow to recognition. Mary's initial inability to recognize Jesus symbolizes the human tendency to cling to the past and fear change. However, Jesus' gentle call of her name awakens her to His presence, demonstrating that true recognition and transformation occur when one is open to new beginnings and the relinquishment of past attachments.

Fr. Pasolini highlighted the significance of the forty days Jesus spent with His disciples post-resurrection. This period served as a time of preparation, ensuring that the disciples would not become fixated on the physical presence of Jesus but would instead embrace their role as bearers of His message. The Ascension, therefore, was not an end but a commissioning, empowering the disciples to become living witnesses of Christ's enduring presence in the world.

Concluding his meditation, Fr. Pasolini urged the faithful to view farewells not as losses but as opportunities for growth and service. He emphasized that the Ascension invites believers to embody the Gospel through acts of witness and service, fostering a new humanity rooted in hope and love. In embracing the grace of goodbye, Christians are called to become facilitators of transformation, carrying forward the mission of Christ in every aspect of their lives.