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

Pope Francis meets with Cardinal Becciu amid ongoing Vatican finance trial

Pope Francis met at the Vatican Thursday morning with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is on trial for charges

Pope Francis Launches Three Years of Celebrations in Honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas

In the coming years, three significant anniversaries will be observed to honor the legacy of Thomas Aquinas, the renowned Doctor Angelicus.

Cardinals hear call for ‘unity of the Church’ at Mass ahead of conclave

At the Mass for the election of a new pope, the dean of the College of Cardinals made “a strong call to maintain the unity of the Church” ahead of the conclave on Wednesday.
Left: Detail of Antique wooden Old Russian icon "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker," southwestern Russia. Early 19th century on an 18th-century panel. Credit: Public Domain. Right: Merry Old Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, conversion of style by AI. Credit: ChatGPT

From Saint to Santa: The True Story of St. Nicholas of Bari

Everyone knows Santa Claus—the jolly, gift-bearing figure who arrives on Christmas Eve to delight children around the world.

Pope Francis tells gay man rejected from seminary to ‘go ahead with your vocation’

Pope Francis has reportedly encouraged a 22-year-old gay man to continue to pursue a vocation to the priesthood

EWTN Roman Nights | Chastity: An Outdated Virtue? – September 28th, 2023

This month, our focus was on the virtue of "chastity," exploring its relevance in today's world.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com