Skip to content

Pope Francis offers 5 commitments on the road to Christmas

Pope Francis proposed to the faithful 5 concrete commitments to live with intensity the remaining days of Advent 2022, and to prepare the heart for the birth of the Child Jesus through simple actions.

At the Angelus on December 12, 2021, and before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff asked the question: “What can I do concretely?

In the same vein, he called to ask himself: “These days, as we approach Christmas, how can I do my part?

In response, he encouraged us to make “a concrete commitment, even a small one, that fits our life situation” and carry it forward to prepare ourselves for this Christmas.

Along these lines, he listed 5 commitments that the faithful can make to live with faith and hope this time of joy for the arrival of the Child Jesus:

1. Calling a lonely person on the phone.

2. Visiting an elderly or sick person.

3. Do something to serve a poor person, a person in need.

4. To ask for forgiveness, to forgive, to clear up any conflict or to settle a debt.

5. To take up prayer again and approach the Lord’s forgiveness.

“Brothers and sisters, let us look for something concrete and do it! May the Virgin, in whose womb God became flesh, help us”, he prayed.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Tribute or travesty? Dolce & Gabbana stages Catholic-vestment-inspired fashion show

The Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana put a spotlight on a new design collection inspired by Catholic liturgical garb in a show on the Sant’Angelo Bridge in Rome last week.

Pope Rests Well, Drinks coffee, And Reads Newspapers As Pneumonia Treatment Progresses

Pope Francis spent a restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and has begun his daily treatments after waking Monday morning, having breakfast with coffee and reading newspapers as part of his normal routine, according to Vatican sources.

FULL TEXT of Pope Leo’s Message for Lent 2026

The PDF version of the Pope Leo’s Message for Lent 2026. This is the text of the document: MESSAGE

Vaticano Updates: New Vatican Pro-Life Guidelines, Pope Francis’ Actions, and More

Catch up on this week's top Vatican stories, including new pro-life guidelines, Pope Francis' appeal to protect children, King Charles' postponed visit, and a call to defend Christians in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis: Beauty urges us to take Christ out into the streets and bring him to people

Pope Francis this week encouraged participants of the second International Congress of Confraternities and Brotherhoods to bring Christ “out into the streets so that he may enter into all hearts.”

Easter in the Eternal City

30,000 pilgrims present on Easter Sunday

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com