Vatican City: During his weekly Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflected deeply on the Passion of Christ, focusing on the moment of Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Speaking as part of his catechesis for the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Pope emphasized that Christian love is not an act of evasion but a conscious, courageous decision rooted in self-giving.
Pope Leo highlighted that St. John the Evangelist portrays Jesus not as a frightened man fleeing danger, but as a “free man who comes forward and speaks, openly facing the hour when the light of the greatest love can be revealed.” Even knowing the suffering that awaited Him, Jesus did not retreat; instead, He surrendered Himself to the guards, acting “not out of weakness, but out of love.”
The Holy Father explained that Jesus, by allowing Himself to be taken, remains the “giver of a gift” and embodies hope for humanity. In moments of fear, injustice, and loneliness, God is present. The Pope drew attention to the Gospel moment when Jesus says, “I am he,” causing the soldiers to fall a passage echoing the divine name, “I am” symbolizing God’s presence even in the darkest hour.
“This is the true light,” Pope Leo remarked, “ready to shine without fear of being overcome by the advancing darkness.” Christian hope, he said, is rooted not in evading suffering but in choosing to act in love, strengthened by prayer and trust in God.
The Pope stressed that during His arrest, Jesus’ concern was not for Himself but for the disciples, revealing the selfless nature of true love. His courage was the culmination of a lifetime of preparation for this “dramatic and sublime hour.” Pope Leo noted that enduring suffering in love is not failure but fulfillment, and the seed of new life is hidden even within the most unjust circumstances.
Pope Leo urged the faithful to adopt the logic of the Gospel in their lives: “Only what is given flourishes; only the love that becomes free can restore trust even where everything seems lost.” Using the image of the young man who fled naked at Jesus’ arrest, the Pope acknowledged human moments of fear and hesitation, yet reminded believers that resurrection and hope await those who return to God’s call.
Concluding his catechesis, Pope Leo encouraged all to let life respond to the good received: “While we cannot control everything, it is enough to choose to love freely every day.” Even in darkness, God’s sustaining love allows hope to endure, ripening the promise of eternal life for those who follow Christ faithfully.