Pope Leo: Flowers can bloom even in prisons

By Kielce Gussie

On the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the word “Gaudete”. He explained the “joy” of this Sunday reminds us of "the bright dimension of waiting: the trust that something beautiful, something joyful, will happen.”

14 December also marked the Jubilee of Hope for prisoners and all those who work in prisons. Pope Leo recalled that 26 December last year, his predecessor Pope Francis opened the Holy Door inside Rome's Rebibbia prison, urging his listeners to "throw open the doors of your heart.”

On that occasion, Pope Francis also urged everyone to be generous “workers of justice and charity in the environments where we live.”

There is still hope

With the Jubilee Year of Hope coming to a close, Pope Leo stressed that, despite efforts that have been made, “much remains to be done in the prison world.” He acknowledged the prisons are challenging environments, and “even the best intentions may encounter many obstacles.”

Yet, he argued it is specifically for this reason that we must all avoid growing tired or discouraged. Rather, the Holy Father stressed that we must persevere. “Many still fail to understand that from every fall, one must be able to rise again,” Pope Leo explained. “No human being is defined by what they have done, and justice is always a process of repair and reconciliation.”

Pope Leo incenses the statue of Our Lady with the Child Jesus in St. Peter's Basilica   (@VATICAN MEDIA)

If we create and keep safe spaces for sensitivity, attention to others’ needs, respect, mercy and forgiveness to flourish—even in the most difficult times—“beautiful flowers bloom, and even within the prison walls, unique gestures, projects, and encounters mature in their humanity.”

This is essential for those living without their freedom, the Pope stressed, but it is also important for those who represent justice for inmates. This Jubilee “is a call to conversion, and precisely for this reason, it is a source of hope and joy.”

Keep compassion at the center

To achieve this, it is necessary to first look to Jesus, His humanity, and His Kingdom as reminders that miracles can happen through extraordinary interventions by God. However, Pope Leo highlighted, “more often they are entrusted to us, to our compassion, our attention, our wisdom, and the responsibility of our communities and institutions.”

He noted how we are all also called to foster, in all areas—and, today, particularly in prisons—a society rooted in new values, with a strong focus on compassion.

For this reason, the Holy Father pointed out how Pope Francis wanted this Holy Year to offer “forms of amnesty or remission of penalties might be granted to help people regain trust in themselves and in society”.

We are never alone

The day’s Gospel touched on the biblical origin of the Jubilee—a year of grace where everyone was given the chance to start fresh. The passage reflected on St. John the Baptist, who encouraged people to convert and be baptized. He was frank and upright, but also merciful and understanding.

Pope Leo acknowledged the difficult task God entrusts to both inmates and those responsible for prisons. He pointed out the numerous problems they are called to address: “overcrowding, the still insufficient commitment to ensuring stable educational programs for rehabilitation, and work opportunities.”

Yet, on a deeper level, there are also issues of working through the weight of the past, wounds to be healed, disappointments, the patience required with oneself to achieve these steps, and the temptation to give up. While these challenges might feel overwhelming and difficult, God offers encouragment in the Scriptures. He repeats “that no one be lost” and that all “may be saved”.

“This is what our God desires, this is His Kingdom, and this is what His work in the world aims for”, the Holy Father stressed.

With Christmas drawing near, Pope Leo invited everyone to work toward this dream, reminding them that, even in the greatest difficulties, “we are not alone: the Lord is near, He walks with us, and with Him by our side, something beautiful and joyful will always happen.”