Pope Francis on BBC Thought for the Day

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Source: BBC/Vatican News

Pope Francis encourages us not to look at the future "with pessimism and resignation," but to always choose the path of love and view the world with "the gentle gaze of hope" in his 'Thought for the Day' message broadcast on BBC Radio Four this morning.

"I hope that during this Jubilee, we practice kindness as a form of love to connect with others," he saiud,

In his message, the Holy Father highlights the importance of hope and kindness, which he says "touch the very heart of the Gospel and show us the path to follow in our behaviour."

A world full of hope and kindness, he says, "is a more beautiful world" while "a society that looks to the future with confidence and treats people with respect and empathy is more humane."

Pope Francis notes that the Jubilee Year, which began on Christmas Eve, calls us to be pilgrims of hope, and he encourages everyone to choose love in a world beset with wars, social injustices, and various forms of violence. "We choose love, and love makes our hearts fervent and hopeful."

Love can be expressed in kindness, he says, "that opens hearts to acceptance and helps us to become more humble." Humility, he continues, "lends itself to dialogue, helps us to overcome misunderstandings, and generates gratitude."

The Pope cites "the great British writer GK Chesterton," who "wisely invites us to take the elements of life with gratitude and not for granted."

Pope Francis concludes his message with a wish for hope, and a prayer that the new year might bring us "peace, fellowship, and gratitude."

This is the second time Pope Francis has spoken on Thought for the Day. In October 2021 he gave a short reflection before the COP26 climate summit.

Listen to today's broadcast here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kfgbhp