In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.

Good morning, welcome. Happy holidays!

I am delighted to meet you all on this day of the octave of Christmas, and I welcome you. As a parish community, you have prepared extensively for this Jubilee pilgrimage and, during this very special year for the Church, you have accompanied the Successor of Peter with your prayers and generosity. I thank you for this gesture of communion and closeness.

Your parish is under the patronage of Saint Thomas of Villanueva, a Spanish Augustinian religious who was open to God’s action in his life, and whose readiness led him to do much good for the Church and society of his time. You know his biography well, and the city of Alcalá de Henares, where you live, preserves significant traces of his earthly passage.

Giving thanks for the witness of dedication and fidelity of this holy bishop, I would like to share some of his distinctive characteristics, which can help us to reflect on a personal, family and community level. In his life and writings, he reveals to us an unceasing search for continuous prayer, that is, a holy restlessness to be in God's presence at every moment. This implies a profound inwardness, which involves emptying oneself in order to listen and allow the Lord to work.

In addition to his spiritual life, Saint Thomas of Villanueva is noted for his industriousness. This facet of his life challenges us in a world that seems to offer us everything in an increasingly rapid, easy manner. His sobriety and simplicity, his selfless work — especially in the university setting — and his apostolic zeal lead us to realize that we must recognize the talents we have received and put them at the service of the community, with effort and dedication, so that they may multiply for the benefit of all.

Finally, I would like to highlight his love for the poor, which earned him the title of “God's almsgiver”. I have been told that in your parish this aspect is very present, in concrete gestures and works — the bishop can tell me later if this is true or not. I thank you for this sensitivity, because “the poor are not just people to be helped, but the sacramental presence of the Lord” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, 44).

Dear pilgrims, I encourage you to continue to follow in Christ’s footsteps. The witness of the saints inspires and motivates us on this exciting journey. May God bless you, and may Our Lady of the Valley accompany you always. Thank you very much.

Let us pray together: Our Father…

Apostolic Blessing of the Holy Father

Congratulations! I wish you a good pilgrimage and a happy New Year!

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 29 December 2025