Pope Francis led the 31 December evening celebration of First Vespers on the Solmenity of Mary, Mother of God, and the singing of the Te Deum hymn of Thanksgiving for the past year, in Saint Peter's Basilica.
Around 6,500 participants gathered in the Basilica for the traditional end-of-the-year celebration.
Many others awaited the Pope outside the Basilica following the celebration as he made his traditional in-person visit to the Nativity Scene in Saint Peter's Square next to the tall Christmas tree.
In his homily for the occasion, Pope Francis reflected on gratitude and hope and how faith enables us to live both differently from a worldy mentality.
That is because "faith in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary, gives a new way of experiencing time and life" helping us be grateful to God and see the future with hope that goes beyond a feeling of satisfaction and optimism.
Giving thanks to God
While most people may give thanks on the last night of the calendar year, sometimes the "essential dimension" is missing, that of our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters, the Pope said. He explained how in this liturgy, culminating in the great hymn of thanksgiving, Te Deum laudamus, our faith-inspired "praise, wonder, gratitude" comes with the celebration of the Lord's birth and learning from the Virgin Mother, Mary.
Gratitude in our hearts
The Pope suggested we think about the immense gratitude in Mary's heart as she looked upon the newborn Jesus, the astounding depth of the experience as the Mother of God, knowing with Joseph where the Child came from, yet His "breathing, crying, needing to eat, to be covered, cared for."
Pilgrims of hope
The Church learns gratitude, but also hope, the Pope explained, as Mary was full of hope, filled with grace, and therefore abounding in trust and hope. And this is not just optimism, but "faith in God who is faithful to his promises," a faith that "takes the form of hope" in the dimension of time in which we are journeying. "The Christian, like Mary, is a pilgrim of hope."
Jubilee 2025
The Pope then recalled that the theme of the Jubilee 2025 is precisely, "Pilgrims of Hope." He conveyed his wish that Rome prepare to be a "city of hope" with the good witness of the Church and civil communities together, "a witness that, more than in events, consists in the style of life, the ethical and spiritual quality of our living together."
As a simple example, he suggested that a good welcome should be
assured for those visiting Saint Peter's Basilica which draws people of
all nationalities, cultures and religions. Also, he suggested it would
be good if the elderly and those with physical challenges might be able
to visit and appreciate the beauty of Rome's perennial and universal
historic center, matched with greater functionality and living
conditions for citizens and visitors.
Prayerful preparation
In conclusion, the Pope recalled how a pilgrimage, especially a unique one like that of the Jubilee, calls for good preparation ahead of it. And that is why 2024 will be dedicated to prayer. The Blessed Mother can teach us much here, he added, as we can "live each day, each moment, each effort with our inner gaze turned to Jesus. Joys and sorrows, satisfactions and challenges. All in the presence and with the grace of Jesus, the Lord. All with gratitude and hope."