Jordan: The Catholic Center for Studies and Media presents Pope's Message for Peace 2025

As has been the case every year, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan presents the message delivered by Pope Francis marking the World Day of Peace, which is the 58th message issued from the Vatican, and  titled, "Forgive us our trespasses: Grant us your peace."

CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader pointed out that “hope” constitutes the main theme of the papal message, which coincides with the start of the Catholic Church’s celebration of the “Jubilee of Hope,” marking 2025 years since the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Pope Francis calls for listening to the plea of humanity endangered by injustices that sometimes take the form described by Saint Pope John Paul II as “structures of sin" because that arise not only from injustice on the part of some but are also consolidated and maintained by a network of complicity.

In this context, Pope Francis refers in his message to number of associated injustices, pointing out  in particular to all kinds  of disparities, the inhuman treatment meted out to migrants, environmental decay, the confusion willfully created by disinformation, the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue, and the immense resources spent on the industry of war. Consequently, we are invited, individuals and groups, to break the bonds of injustice and to proclaim God’s justice.  Hr stressed that sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough whereby cultural and structural changes are necessary, so that enduring change may come about.

In his message, the Pope accentuates the need to undertake several changes to confront injustice and inequality. Consequently, he offers three proposals capable of restoring dignity to the lives of entire peoples and enabling them to set them out anew on the journey of hope. Firstly: “Reducing substantially, if not cancelling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations”, lest this prove merely an isolated act of charity but rather a new financial framework must be devised, leading to the creation of a global financial charter based on solidarity and harmony between peoples.

 Secondly, the Pope asks for a firm commitment to respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death by calling for the elimination of the death penalty in all nations since this penalty not only compromises the inviolability of life but eliminates every human hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation.

The third proposal is intended for the sake of future generations in this time marked by wars,  whereby Pope Francis  calls for using at least a fixed percentage of the money earmarked for armaments to establish a global fund to eradicate hunger and facilitate in the poorer countries educational activities aimed at promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.

Finally, Fr. Rif'at Bader said that while the CCSM presents this message with the advent of the New ear 2025, it conveys well wishes to the extended Jordanian family that marked this year the silver jubilee of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein’s  ascension to the Throne, as well as the 25th anniversary of His Majesty’s declaration of Christmas as an official holiday for all citizens which serves as a living sign of the national unity and cohesion that unites Muslims and Christians in this dear homeland. Consequently, he called for offering prayers for the perpetuation of security and stability in beloved Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II, pleading with the Almighty God that the new year will bring tidings of peace to the occupied lands of Palestine--specially in the holy city of Jerusalem and the afflicted Gaza Strip, and in all parts of dear Palestine--and for maintaining stability in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine, and for all peoples longing for the gift of peace and security.

 Fr. Rif'at Bader stated in the statement that the new year will mark the silver jubilee of the beginning of the pilgrimage to the Baptism Site, where a solemn Mass will be celebrated on January 10 by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who will make an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and will officially inaugurate the Church of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, whose foundation stone had been laid by His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al- Abdullah with Pope Benedict XVI on May 10, 2009.