Pope Francis marked the beginning of the New Year with a strong message urging the faithful to reject abortion and uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. The 88-year-old pontiff led a New Year's Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
In his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of caring for every individual, including unborn children, the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely, and the dying. He called for a 'firm commitment' to respect human life at all stages, echoing the Catholic Church's stance against abortion and euthanasia.
Over the years, Pope Francis has become increasingly vocal about the issue of abortion, describing it as akin to 'hiring a hitman to solve a problem.' His recent criticism of Belgium's abortion law as 'homicidal' and his support for beatifying King Baudouin, who opposed legalizing abortion, have stirred controversy.
The New Year's Day Mass concluded the pope's busy Christmas schedule, which coincided with the start of the Vatican's Holy Year celebration. This special year of faith is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome in 2025.
During his address to the gathered pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis reiterated the Jubilee's theme of debt forgiveness. He called on world leaders, especially those from wealthy nations, to alleviate the debts burdening poorer countries. The pope urged Christian leaders to set an example by leading efforts to forgive debts.
Overall, Pope Francis's New Year's message emphasized the value of life, the importance of compassion towards others, and the need for global solidarity in addressing economic disparities.
