Christian hope: a lighthouse in the storm, inspired by three Popes

In a world that seems to be reeling under the weight of uncertainty, hope becomes a fundamental pillar of human existence. This Jubilee Year that we have just begun offers us a good opportunity to reflect on this virtue, encouraging us to become pilgrims and bearers of hope. Three recent Popes, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, have explored this theme from approaches that complement each other, offering an enriching guide.

St. John Paul II: hope as a radical commitment

Pope St. John Paul II, known for his charisma and his crucial role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, saw hope as an expression of human dignity. During his many travels around the world, he preached tirelessly on the importance of keeping hope alive, even in the midst of oppressive circumstances. He taught that Christian hope is not a passive waiting for better times, but an active attitude of trust in God and commitment to one’s neighbor. For him, hope implied action: the struggle for justice, solidarity with the poorest and the defense of human rights were tangible expressions of Christian hope (Homily in Gdansk, June 12, 1987). The key was not to be overcome by fear and hatred, but to respond with love and commitment.

In his encyclical Redemptoris Mater, he also refers to the Virgin Mary as a model of active hope, someone who not only waits passively, but responds courageously to God’s call(Redemptoris Mater, 46).

Benedict XVI: hope, a personal relationship with God

For Pope Benedict XVI, hope has a profoundly theological and personal dimension. In his encyclical Spe Salvi, Benedict stresses that Christian hope is much more than mere human optimism; it is a radical trust in God’s promise, a certainty in the ultimate meaning of life found in relationship with Christ(Spe Salvi, 2). Benedict emphasizes that hope is a gift that is cultivated through prayer and closeness to the Gospel. Benedict describes it as a process of spiritual growth that is nourished by prayer and meditation on the Scriptures(Spe Salvi, 32).

Benedict XVI reminds us, moreover, that authentic hope is not limited to seeking quick solutions or immediate successes; rather, it is an attitude that points to eternity. Hope opens us to the prospect of heaven, gives us the strength to cope with present suffering and enables us to see beyond pain. It is a hope that, being God-centered, cannot be destroyed by earthly circumstances.

His reflection on the martyrs is also significant: for Benedict, the martyrs are witnesses of a hope that does not give up, that sees in the cross not a defeat, but a bridge to eternal life(Spe Salvi, 37). It is in the experience of pain, says Benedict, that one can find the deepest hope, that which transcends this world.

Francis: hope in fraternity and solidarity

Pope Francis, with his pastoral style and his focus on the peripheries, presents us with a vision of hope that is intimately linked to fraternity and solidarity. In his encyclicals Fratelli Tutti and Laudato Si’, Francis calls for a hope that is built collectively, one that challenges the throwaway culture and proposes a humanity reconciled and in harmony with creation(Fratelli Tutti, 66; Laudato Si’, 13).

For Francis, Christian hope cannot be separated from concrete action towards others, especially the most vulnerable. He speaks of a “social hope” that finds meaning in working together to build a better world, in caring for the environment and in creating a more just society. Francis mentions that this hope impels us to work for justice and peace, and is nourished by a sense of community(Fratelli Tutti, 116). His hope is bold and challenging: it is not content with individual consolation, but seeks to transform the structures that generate suffering.

In his homilies and speeches, Francis frequently uses the metaphor of “hope as a beacon” that guides those who feel lost. For him, hope must be mutually kindled, being a living witness to God’s presence among us. It is not a solitary act, but a collective commitment to care for one another and to care for our common home, the earth.

A meeting of three points of view: hope as a shared path

Although each of these three popes offers a unique perspective on hope, there is a common thread that unites them: the certainty that Christian hope is a transforming force, anchored in faith in God and love of neighbor. John Paul II speaks to us of hope that impels us to action and courage; Benedict XVI, of hope as an intimate and trusting relationship with God; and Francis, of hope that manifests itself in mutual care and social justice.

These teachings are especially relevant today, when so many people feel discouraged in the face of global challenges such as economic crises, climate change and war. The hope that these popes propose to us is not naïve or disconnected from reality; it is a hope that knows pain, that has seen darkness, but dares to believe in light. It is a hope that calls us to act, to trust and to love, even when the world seems to be in chaos.

In the words of Francis, “let us not allow hope to be stolen from us”. This phrase sums up the commitment of the three popes: to protect and cultivate hope as a priceless treasure, as a beacon that illuminates the path of humanity towards a future of peace, justice and love. Following their teachings, we are called to be bearers of hope in a world that needs it so much, always remembering that true hope is not a mere wish, but a certainty in God’s love and in our ability to build a better world together.

Antonio Carrón de la Torre, OAR