- 27 August, 2025
Rome, August 27, 2025: At his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo reflected on Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, emphasising that in moments of fear, injustice, and loneliness, God’s presence remains constant.
Continuing his catechesis series for the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Pope turned to the Passion narrative, highlighting how St John presents Jesus not as a victim paralysed by fear, but as a free man who steps forward to face His hour. “This is the moment,” Pope Leo said, “when the light of the greatest love can be revealed.”
Not a victim but a giver
Although fully aware of the suffering that awaited Him, Jesus did not retreat but gave Himself up willingly. The Pope stressed that this act was not born of weakness but of love—a mature, fearless love that accepts rejection. In choosing to be taken, Jesus became “the giver of a gift”, embodying salvation’s hope: that even in humanity’s darkest hours, one can remain free to love to the end.
The true act of love
Pope Leo recalled the mysterious Gospel moment when Jesus declares, “I am he”, and the soldiers fall to the ground. The words echo God’s self-revelation as “I am”, showing that God is present precisely in times of fear and injustice. In that instant, he explained, “the true light is ready to shine without fear of being overcome by the advancing darkness.”
Christian hope, the Pope underlined, is not escape but decision, rooted in prayer that seeks not release from suffering but strength to persevere in love. Even during His arrest, Jesus focused not on Himself but on safeguarding His disciples, revealing His sacrifice as an act of love—taken so that His friends might go free.
A life of preparation
Pope Leo noted that Jesus had prepared for this “dramatic and sublime hour” throughout His life. Though troubled as He entered the path to the cross, He understood that offering His life for love was not failure but fulfilment. True hope, he added, is not about avoiding pain but believing that within unjust suffering lies the seed of new life.
Call to live the Gospel
Relating the Gospel to daily life, Pope Leo urged the faithful to embrace its logic: “Only what is given flourishes; only love that becomes free can restore trust where everything seems lost.”
He concluded by encouraging believers to let their lives be “a response to the good we have received.” While not everything can be controlled, he reminded them, “it is enough to choose to love freely every day.”
Courtesy: Vatican News
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