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Pope at Angelus: Safeguard life to build a civilisation of peace

During the midday Angelus on the New Year's Day Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Francis prays that Mary may "teach us to keep the joy of the Gospel in our hearts and bear witness to it in the world."

By Thaddeus Jones

Pope Francis led the midday Angelus prayer in a crowded Saint Peter's Square on New Year's Day, reflecting on the "surprise and the joy of Christmas." The Pope recalled today's Gospel that narrates the arrival of the shepherds in the grotto in Bethlehem after witnessing the proclamation of the angels telling them about the newborn saviour, Messiah, and Lord. The Pope described this encounter which "fills everyone with wonder", as they saw with their own eyes the infant Jesus, and they experienced "the heart of Mary, who kept and reflected on all these things."

The Pope offered his reflections following the traditional morning Mass over which he presided for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and the January 1st World Day of Peace.

“God saves”

Recalling the Hebrew meaning of Jesus,  “God saves”, the Pope explained how this is exactly what the Lord will do and came into the world to accomplish by offering us His very life. 

“God chose to be born for us: Jesus is the revelation of His eternal love, which brings peace into the world.”

The heart of Mary

The Pope then explained how the heart of Mary "corresponds to the newborn Messiah, who manifests the mercy of the Father." Her immaculate heart is the ear that listened to the proclamation of the Archangel Gabriel, and the hand of the bride given to Joseph, as well as the embrace experienced by Elizabeth in her old age, the Pope added.

“In Mary’s heart beats the hope of redemption and salvation for every creature.”

A mother's heart

Observing how mothers always have their children at heart, the Pope said on this New Year's Day dedicated to peace, we should remember mothers in a special way, those who "rejoice in their heart" and those who bear "a heart full of suffering, because their children have been taken away by violence, by arrogance, by hatred."

“How beautiful is peace! And how inhuman is war, which breaks the hearts of mothers!”

Living the joy of the Gospel

In conclusion, the Pope suggested we carry out our own introspection on these themes, first looking at our ability to remain in silence contemplating the birth of Jesus and how we try to cherish in our own hearts the wonderous reality and message of goodness and salvation. Also, he recommended we reflect on how we can reciprocate such a great gift by freely offering gestures of peace, forgiveness, reconciliation.

“May Mary, the Holy Mother of God, teach us to keep the joy of the Gospel in our hearts and bear witness to it in the world.”

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01 January 2025, 12:49

The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The Pope recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The Pope’s words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.

Latest Angelus / Regina Coeli

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Pray with the Pope

Angelus

Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariæ.
Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.
Ave Maria...

Ecce ancílla Dómini.
Fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria...

Et Verbum caro factum est.
Et habitávit in nobis.
Ave Maria...

Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei génetrix.
Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

Orémus.
Grátiam tuam, quǽsumus, Dómine,
méntibus nostris infunde;
ut qui, Ángelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus, per passiónem eius et crucem, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Amen.

Gloria Patri... (ter)
Requiem aeternam...

Benedictio Apostolica seu Papalis

Dominus vobiscum.Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sit nomen Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus,
Pa ter, et Fi lius, et Spiritus Sanctus.

Amen.

The Angelus Prayer

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc...

And the Word was made Flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc...

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
Your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His Passion and Cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

Glory be, etc… (3 times)
Eternal rest…

Apostolic Blessing

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Now and forever.

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who has made Heaven and Earth.
May Almighty God bless you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.