Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday delivered a powerful message of hope, renewal, and human dignity, affirming that transformation is possible even within prison walls. Celebrating Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on the Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday the Pope urged inmates, prison authorities, and society at large to believe that no person is forever defined by past actions and that true justice must always aim at healing and reconciliation.
Reflecting on the meaning of Gaudete, or “rejoice,” the Holy Father described the day as a reminder of the hopeful dimension of waiting a trust that goodness and joy can still emerge, even in difficult and painful circumstances. His homily coincided with the Jubilee of Hope for the prison world, a special moment dedicated to prisoners and all those engaged in prison ministry and justice systems.
Recalling a significant gesture by his predecessor, Pope Francis, Pope Leo noted that on December 26 last year, the Holy Door was opened inside the Church of Our Father at Rome’s Rebibbia prison. That act, he said, carried a twofold invitation: to cling firmly to the “anchor of hope” and to open one’s heart without fear. According to Pope Leo, Pope Francis cast that anchor toward eternity, reminding humanity to keep faith alive while actively working for justice and charity in everyday life.
As the Jubilee Year of Hope draws to a close, Pope Leo acknowledged that despite sincere efforts, prisons remain places marked by hardship and unresolved challenges. Overcrowding, limited rehabilitation programs, and inadequate access to education and work opportunities continue to weigh heavily on inmates and administrators alike. Even well-intentioned reforms, he admitted, often encounter structural and moral obstacles.
Nevertheless, the Pope cautioned against fatigue and discouragement. He stressed that perseverance is essential, especially in environments where failure and regret are deeply felt. “From every fall, one must be able to rise again,” he said, underlining that human beings cannot be reduced to their mistakes. Justice, he emphasized, is not merely punitive but a continuous process of repair, restoration, and reconciliation.
Pope Leo explained that when spaces are created for sensitivity, respect, mercy, and forgiveness even in the harsh realities of prison life something remarkable can happen. Under such conditions, he said, “beautiful flowers can bloom,” giving rise to gestures, projects, and relationships that restore human dignity, even behind bars.
This call, the Pope noted, is not only vital for those deprived of their freedom but also for those entrusted with enforcing justice. The Jubilee, he said, is a moment of conversion for all involved in the prison system and a source of renewed hope and joy.
Turning to the Gospel of the day, Pope Leo reflected on the biblical roots of the Jubilee as a time of grace and new beginnings. Drawing inspiration from St. John the Baptist, he highlighted the balance between truth and mercy firmness paired with compassion as an essential model for personal and social renewal.
While acknowledging the heavy burden carried by inmates, including unresolved past wounds, inner struggles, and the temptation to lose hope, the Pope reminded the faithful that God’s desire is clear: that no one be lost and that all may find salvation. This, he said, defines God’s Kingdom and the ultimate purpose of His work in the world.
As Christmas approaches, Pope Leo concluded by inviting everyone to commit themselves to this vision of hope. Even amid suffering and uncertainty, he reassured, humanity is never alone. “The Lord is near, He walks with us,” the Pope said, affirming that with God’s presence, something beautiful and joyful can always emerge even in the most unlikely places.