Pope Leo XIV at Year-End Audience: Let Us Entrust Everything to God

In his last General Audience of the year held on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the past months, noting that they had been characterized by events of varying importance.

He remarked, “There are moments of joy, such as the pilgrimage undertaken by numerous faithful during the Holy Year; conversely, there are also painful events, including the passing of the late Pope Francis and the ongoing conflicts that continue to disrupt the world.”

For this very reason, he continued, the Church invites the faithful to present all aspects of their lives—both joys and sorrows—before God, imploring Him “to renew, within us and in our surroundings, in the days to come, the marvels of His grace and mercy.”

The Te Deum Hymn

In light of this, Pope Leo contemplated the age-old custom of performing the solemn Te Deum on the evening of December 31st.

He elucidated, "It is within this dynamic that the tradition of the solemn rendition of the Te Deum, through which we shall express our gratitude to the Lord this evening for the blessings bestowed upon us, is situated.

In a comparison made by quoting Pope Francis, he distinguished between this prayerful gratitude and what he referred to as a worldly mindset. According to Pope Francis, “While ‘worldly gratitude and worldly hope are evident... they are focused on the self, on its interests.’” He further elaborated, stating, “In this Liturgy... one breathes an entirely different atmosphere: one of praise, of wonder, of gratitude.”

Pope Leo further articulated that this spirit of gratitude necessitates a sincerity of heart. He stated, “With these attitudes, we are called upon to reflect on what the Lord has done for us over the past year,” as well as “to examine our consciences honestly,” seeking forgiveness “for all the times we have failed to treasure his inspirations and invest the talents he has entrusted to us in the best possible way.”

A Voyage with a Defined Endpoint

The Pope subsequently highlighted a second indicator that has characterized the Jubilee year: that of the journey. He noted, “This year, countless pilgrims have traveled from across the globe to pray at the Tomb of Peter and to reaffirm their commitment to Christ.”

He articulated that their pilgrimage reflects a profound truth about human existence. “The entirety of our lives represents a journey whose ultimate destination surpasses both space and time,” he stated, adding that this journey is realized “through the encounter with God and in complete and everlasting communion with Him.”

He further remarked that this hope is articulated when the Church prays in the Te Deum: “Bring us with your saints to everlasting glory.”

The Sacred Portal

The Pope further elaborated on a third indication that becomes evident in the context of eternity: the act of passing through the Holy Door. “Many among us,” he remarked, “have engaged in this gesture, seeking and beseeching forgiveness for ourselves and for our loved ones.”

Upon crossing the threshold, he articulated that this act signifies “our affirmation to God,” who beckons us, through the gift of forgiveness, “to step into a new life, invigorated by grace and shaped by the Gospel.”

Citing Pope Paul VI, Pope Leo emphasized that this existence is “inspired by ‘love for that neighbor, in whose definition... every man is included,’” encompassing even those “whom we do not know personally, regardless of whether they are bothersome or hostile,” and yet are always “imbued with the unmatched dignity of a brother.”

The Pope stated, “This represents our affirmation of a life dedicated to commitment in the present while being directed toward eternity.”

Let the Sinner Find Joy

In contemplating these signs through the lens of Christmas, Pope Leo evoked the sentiments expressed by Saint Leo the Great, who perceived the Nativity as a declaration of universal joy. “Let the saint find joy, for he is nearing his reward; let the sinner take delight, for he is granted forgiveness; let the pagan be emboldened, for he is summoned to life.”

“This invitation,” the Pope remarked, “is extended today to each one of us.” To the baptized, “for God has joined us as a companion on the path to authentic life”; to sinners, “because, through forgiveness, we can rise again and embark on our journey with his grace”; and to the vulnerable and marginalized, for the Lord, “having embraced our frailty, has brought about its redemption.”

The Essence of Divinity Is Love

In summary, Pope Leo reflected on the Jubilee of 1975, highlighting how Pope Paul VI encapsulated its essence in one word: “love.”

“God is Love!” declared Pope Paul VI during that audience. “God loves me! I have found Him, for God awaited me! God embodies mercy! God represents forgiveness! God signifies salvation! Indeed, God is life!”

“May these reflections,” Pope Leo XIV concluded, “guide us as we transition from the old year to the new, and may they remain with us throughout our lives.”