On New Year’s Day, Pope Francis called for a profound commitment to protect life, emphasizing the importance of rejecting abortion during his celebration of Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope, who is 88 years old, dedicated his New Year’s message to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and encouraged the faithful to value life from conception to natural death.

During his homily, Pope Francis prayed for the community to care for “every child born of a woman” and to cherish “the precious gift of life,” which includes the lives of the suffering, poor, elderly, lonely, and dying. He emphasized, “I ask for a firm commitment to respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death,” highlighting his stance against abortion and euthanasia.

In recent years, Pope Francis has become increasingly vocal about the issue of abortion, using a more direct approach compared to earlier in his papacy. He has criticized abortion practices, describing them as “hiring a hitman to solve a problem." His recent remarks in Belgium, where he labeled their abortion law as “homicidal,” have ignited debates, especially as he pushes for the beatification of Belgium’s late King Baudouin, who famously abdicated for a day to avoid agreeing to pro-abortion legislation.

The Mass on New Year’s Day closed Pope Francis' hectic Christmas schedule, which was particularly strenuous this year due to his recurring respiratory issues and the initiation of the Vatican’s Holy Year, a significant event anticipated to attract around 32 million pilgrims to Rome in 2025.

Beyond the implications for abortion, Pope Francis also addressed broader themes of forgiveness and solidarity among nations, urging wealthy countries to alleviate debts owed by poorer nations, reinforcing his message of compassion and support for the disadvantaged. This resonates with his ongoing call for world leaders to lead by example and embody the spirit of generosity as expressed throughout this Jubilee season.

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