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.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Pope Leo XIV to seminarians: ‘Piety without doctrine becomes fragile sentimentality’

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday addressed a letter to seminarians of the Archdiocese of Trujillo, Peru, reminding them of the

Florence 101: Fascinating Facts About Home of Renaissance

Become a quick “Renaissance Man” on Florence 1. The Birthplace of the Renaissance 2. The Medici Family as

FULL TEXT: Cardinal Mamberti’s homily for the ninth Novendiales Mass

On May 4, 2025, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the former prefect of the prefect of the supreme tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, delivered the following homily during the ninth day of Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis.

Microsoft president to unveil ‘AI-enhanced experience’ of St. Peter’s Basilica

Microsoft President Brad Smith is set to unveil an artificial intelligence-enhanced project focusing on St. Peter’s Basilica during a press conference at the Vatican on Nov. 11.

Pope Francis Reflects on Mary’s Motherhood, Prays for Nicaragua During New Year’s Angelus

Just days after Christmas, Nicaragua’s Sandinista regime abducted four priests, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com