Pope: Jesus' words 'free us from the prison of despair'

Crowds gathered in St Peter's Square - Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

After celebrating Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners at St Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo delivered his Angelus address to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, saying that Christian joy endures "when life seems to lose its meaning and everything appears darker."

"A prophet, even in chains, retains the ability to use his voice in the pursuit of truth and justice," he said, Even from behind bars, John the Baptist continued to hope and to question. He became a sign that the Word of God cannot be silenced, even when prophets are deprived of freedom.

From his prison cell, Pope Leo said, John the Baptist hears of the works accomplished by Jesus. Yet these works do not correspond to what he had expected. Hence his question: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?" A question that echoes across the centuries and reaches all those "who seek truth and justice, those who long for freedom and peace," and who continue to question Jesus.

In response, Jesus does not offer a theoretical definition of his identity. He invites people to look at what he does. "It is the least among us, the poor, the sick, who speak for him," the Holy Father stressed, noting that the Messiah is recognisable by his deeds, which are visible signs of salvation at work: "The blind see, the mute speak, the deaf hear."

Even the image of God, disfigured by illness and exclusion, is restored to wholeness. Even the dead themselves - "completely unresponsive" - are raised to life. This, the Pope insisted, is the heart of the Gospel: "When God comes into the world, you can see it!"

"The words of Jesus free us from the prison of despair and suffering. Every prophecy finds its expected fulfillment in Him."

It is Christ, the Pope continued, who opens humanity's eyes to the glory of God - God who "gives a voice to the oppressed, from whom violence and hatred have taken away their voice; who overcomes the ideology that makes people deaf to the truth; and who heals the illusions that distort the body."

During this Advent season, the Pope invited the faithful to unite two fundamental attitudes: "waiting for the Saviour" and "attentiveness to what God is doing in the world."

"Gaudete in Domino semper." The Holy Father also recalled the meaning of the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of joy. This is a joy that does not allow one to avoid trials, but rather one that endures "especially when life seems to lose its meaning and everything appears darker."

LINKS

Watch the Angelus on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBjd_NDrHkU

Read the official text of Pope Leo's address: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/12/14/0986/01781.html