Pope Francis called Christians worldwide to embrace their calling as “pilgrims of hope and builders of peace,” ahead of the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21, 2024.
This year’s theme, “Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace,” underscores the Pope’s vision for Christians to actively participate in fostering hope and peace globally.
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of understanding and fulfilling one’s Christian vocation, whether through consecrated life, priesthood, marriage, or singlehood.
“Our life finds fulfillment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty, and peace, wherever we find ourselves,” he said.
The Pope expressed his desire for World Vocations Day to be a time of gratitude for Christians serving God in various capacities.
He urged young people to seek happiness in God’s call, which respects individual freedom, and to engage with Jesus through the Gospels and His challenging presence.
Pope Francis called on Christians to listen to each other and journey together, guided by the Holy Spirit, towards the 2025 Jubilee.
He encouraged prayers for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life, emphasizing the Church’s need for laborers in God’s harvest.
The Pope described the Christian pilgrimage as a meaningful journey toward Christ, marked by hope, peace, justice, and love.
He warned against the threats of global crises and conflicts, urging Christians to be beacons of hope and messengers of the Gospel’s peace.
The pontiff invited Christians to embrace their vocations passionately, to rise above indifference, and to commit to caring for others.
He called for a collective effort to face the world’s challenges with the strength and hope found in Christ’s Resurrection.
