Dear brothers and sisters, good afternoon!

Today is Saint Stephen’s “birthday,” as the first generations of Christians used to say with the certainty that we are not born just once. Moreover, seeing with the eyes of faith is to see no longer mere darkness, even in death, for Martyrdom is a birth into heaven. We do not choose to come into the world, but then we pass through many experiences in which we are asked to choose ever more intentionally to “come to the light,” to choose the light. The account in the Acts of the Apostles testifies that those who saw Stephen going to his martyrdom were struck by the light of his face and his words. It is written: “All who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). This is the face of one who does not leave history indifferently, but responds to it with love. Everything Stephen does and says represents the divine love that appeared in Jesus, the Light that shines in our darkness.

Dear friends, the birth of the Son of God among us calls us to live as children of God. He makes this possible by attracting us through the humility of people such as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, whom we encounter from that night in Bethlehem. Yet the beauty of Jesus, and of those who imitate his life, is also rejected, for from the beginning, his magnetic force has provoked the reaction of those who struggle for power, those who are exposed by their acts of injustice because of a goodness that reveals the intentions of their hearts (cf. Lk 2:35). To this day, however, no power can prevail over the work of God. Everywhere in the world, there are those who choose justice even at great cost, those who put peace before their fears, and those who serve the poor instead of themselves. Hope then sprouts, and it makes sense to celebrate despite everything.

In the current conditions of uncertainty and suffering in the world, joy might seem impossible. Today, those who believe in peace and have chosen the unarmed path of Jesus and the martyrs are often ridiculed, excluded from public discourse, and not infrequently accused of favoring adversaries and enemies. Christians, however, have no enemies, but brothers and sisters, who remain so even when they do not understand each other. The mystery of Christmas brings us a joy motivated by the tenacity of those who already live in fraternity, of those who already recognize around them, even in their adversaries, the indelible dignity of the daughters and sons of God. Like Jesus, Stephen died forgiving others because of a force more real than that of weapons. It is a gratuitous force, already present in the hearts of all, and which is reawakened and shared in an irresistible way when we begin to look at our neighbor differently, offering them attention and recognition. Yes, this is what it means to be reborn, to come once more into the light, this is our “Christmas!”

Let us now pray to Mary and contemplate her, blessed among all women who give life and counter arrogance with care, and distrust with faith. May Mary bring us into her own joy, a joy that dissolves all fear and all threats, just as snow melts before the sun.

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After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters,

I renew my heartfelt good wishes for peace and serenity in the light of our Lord’s birth.

I greet all of you, the faithful of Rome and pilgrims from many countries.

As we remember Saint Stephen, the first Martyr, we seek his intercession for strengthening our faith and supporting the communities that suffer most for their Christian witness.

May his example of humility, courage and forgiveness accompany those who, in situations of conflict, are committed to promoting dialogue, reconciliation and peace.

I wish everyone a happy feast day!