Pope Francis delivered an inspiring New Year message as a guest of Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, during the Thought for the Day segment on BBC Radio
4's Today programme.
The regular segment, which airs at 7:45 am from Monday to Saturday, invites figures from various faiths to reflect on global and spiritual themes. As guest editor of the programme, Professor Tracey invited Pope Francis to share his message, which was broadcast this morning, December 27.
In his recorded message, the Pope encouraged listeners to foster “a world full of hope and kindness.” He wished everyone “peace, fellowship, and gratitude” as they prepare for the new year.
The message follows the launch of celebrations for the Church’s Holy Year Jubilee, a tradition that occurs every 25 years and draws the faithful to Rome for pilgrimages.
Pope Francis, 88, originally recorded his message in Italian, which was later translated into English for the UK audience. Reflecting on themes of hope and kindness, he said, “Hope and kindness touch the very heart of the Gospel and show us the path to follow in our behaviour. A world full of hope and kindness is a more beautiful world.”
He emphasized the importance of hope in challenging times, stating, “Even though we do not know what tomorrow may hold, we should not look to the future with pessimism or resignation. Wars, social injustices, and the many forms of violence we are exposed to every day should not dishearten us or lead to scepticism and discouragement.”
On kindness, Pope Francis described it as “a form of love that opens hearts to acceptance and helps us all to become more humble,” adding that it is not merely a diplomatic strategy. He quoted British author G.K. Chesterton, urging people to “take the elements of life with gratitude and not for granted.”
The Pope expressed his hope that the Holy Year Jubilee would inspire people to practice kindness as a way to connect with others. “May the New Year bring us peace, fellowship, and gratitude,” he concluded.
This marks Pope Francis’s second appearance on Thought for the Day, following his contribution in October 2021 ahead of the COP26 climate summit. He is only the second Pope to participate in the segment, with Pope Benedict XVI having appeared on Christmas Eve in 2010. Photo by Zebra48bo, Wikimedia commons.