This year, the Lord grants us, once again, a propitious time to prepare ourselves to celebrate with a renewed heart the great mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us to the extent that we open ourselves to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity.
Christian joy springs from hearing and accepting the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This kerygma encapsulates the mystery of a love “so real, so true, so concrete, that it invites us to a relationship of openness and fruitful dialogue” (Christus Vivit, 117). Those who believe in this message reject the lie that our life is ours to do with as we please. Rather, life is born from the love of God the Father, from his desire to give us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). If, on the other hand, we listen to the tempting voice of the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44), we run the risk of sinking into the abyss of absurdity and experiencing hell here on earth, as too many tragic events in personal and collective human experience sadly attest.
In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: “Keep your gaze fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved again and again. And when you come to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy that frees you from your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such love and let yourself be purified by it. Thus you will be able to be reborn forever” (no. 123). The Passion of Jesus is not a past event; rather, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is always present, allowing us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.
It is good to contemplate more deeply the Paschal Mystery through which God’s mercy has been granted to us. Indeed, the experience of mercy is only possible in a face-to-face relationship with the crucified and risen Lord, “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20), in a sincere dialogue among friends. This is why prayer is so important during Lent. More than a duty, prayer is an expression of our need to respond to the love of God that always precedes and sustains us. Christians pray knowing that, although unworthy, we are still loved. Prayer can take various forms, but what truly matters in God’s eyes is that it penetrates deep within us and weakens our hardness of heart, so that we may convert ever more fully to God and his will.
Every year, millions of Christians around the world prepare for Easter through the season of Lent, a period traditionally marked by prayer, reflection, fasting, and acts of charity. While many people associate Lent with giving something up for 40 days, Pope Francis has repeatedly encouraged believers to see it as something much deeper: an opportunity to renew their hearts and rediscover the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
In one of his reflections on Lent, the Pope described the season as a “propitious time” to prepare for the celebration of Easter with renewed faith, reminding Christians that the mystery of Christ’s Passion, death, and resurrection remains the very foundation of Christian life.
According to Pope Francis, believers are invited to return constantly to this central mystery—not simply as a historical event, but as a living reality capable of transforming hearts today. He explains that the more people open themselves to God’s grace, the more this mystery grows within them, shaping their daily lives and relationships with others.
At the center of his message is what Christianity calls the “Good News” or the kerygma—the proclamation that Jesus died and rose again out of love for humanity. Pope Francis says this message is far more than a theological concept; it is an invitation to enter into a real relationship with God.
He points to the idea that Christian joy is born from hearing and accepting this message. Rather than viewing faith as a collection of rules or obligations, he encourages believers to recognize it as a response to a love that is “real, true, and concrete.”
That perspective, he argues, changes the way Christians understand life itself.
Instead of believing that life belongs entirely to us to shape however we choose, Pope Francis reminds believers that life is a gift originating from God’s love. Referencing the Gospel of John, he recalls Christ’s promise that He came so people “may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The Pope also warns about the dangers of losing sight of that truth.
Drawing from Scripture, he speaks about the “father of lies,” a biblical reference to Satan found in John’s Gospel, describing how falsehood and selfishness can slowly lead individuals away from hope and toward despair.
He suggests that when people reject God’s love and mercy, they risk experiencing suffering, emptiness, and meaninglessness even in this life. While these words carry spiritual significance, Pope Francis also acknowledges the many tragedies experienced by individuals and societies, encouraging Christians to respond not with judgment but with compassion and faith.
One of the most personal sections of his reflection draws from Christus Vivit, his Apostolic Exhortation addressed especially to young people.
In that document, Pope Francis encourages believers to keep their eyes fixed on Christ crucified, whose outstretched arms represent God’s limitless love for humanity.
He urges Christians not to lose hope after making mistakes or falling into sin. Instead, he points toward the Sacrament of Reconciliation, encouraging people to trust in God’s mercy rather than becoming trapped by guilt or shame.
His message is one of continual renewal.
Rather than suggesting that forgiveness is earned through perfection, Pope Francis emphasizes that Christians can continually begin again because of God’s mercy.
He also reflects on the blood of Christ poured out during the Passion, describing it as the ultimate expression of sacrificial love and inviting believers to allow that love to purify and renew their lives.
Importantly, Pope Francis stresses that Christ’s suffering is not simply an event remembered from history.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he explains, the Passion remains spiritually present today. Christians are invited to recognize Christ not only in Scripture or church services but also in those who continue to suffer around the world.
For Pope Francis, caring for people in need is inseparable from authentic faith.
The poor, the lonely, the sick, refugees, victims of violence, and anyone carrying heavy burdens become opportunities for Christians to encounter Christ Himself.
That belief echoes one of the central themes of his papacy: faith must always be accompanied by compassion and concrete acts of love.
Prayer also occupies a central place in the Pope’s reflection on Lent.
Rather than describing prayer as a simple religious obligation, he portrays it as an honest conversation between friends—a dialogue with God rooted in trust.
He says Christians pray not because they have earned God’s love but because they already possess it.
Even in moments of weakness or failure, believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence, knowing that divine mercy always comes first.
Pope Francis also reminds Christians that prayer can take many forms.
Some people may pray silently in church.
Others may reflect while walking, reading Scripture, or spending time alone.
Still others may express their faith through acts of charity and service.
The form itself matters less than the sincerity behind it.
According to the Pope, genuine prayer penetrates the heart, gradually softening attitudes marked by pride, anger, or selfishness and helping believers become more open to God’s will.
That interior transformation, he suggests, represents one of Lent’s greatest goals.
It is not merely about giving up chocolate, social media, or other comforts.
Instead, it is about allowing God to reshape one’s heart through prayer, repentance, forgiveness, and love.
Ultimately, Pope Francis presents Lent as a journey toward Easter—a season that leads believers from darkness into hope through the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.
His message reminds Christians that faith is not centered on fear or obligation but on a God who continually reaches out in mercy, inviting every person to begin again.
As Easter approaches each year, the Pope’s reflection continues to resonate with millions of believers seeking hope in uncertain times.
