Vigilance is an important aspect of Christian life because it prevents one’s spirituality from becoming mediocre and lazy, Pope Francis said.

“Everyone can find in St. Joseph—the man who goes unnoticed, the man of daily presence, of discreet and hidden presence—an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of difficulty.”

“It seemed to me, right from the beginning, that Francis’ style of pontificate was like a punch in the stomach from the Holy Spirit to wake us up,” Cardinal Angelo Scola says in this exclusive interview.

The pope “joins you in asking the Lord to bestow upon everyone the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence and overcomes evil with good,” said the message released Nov. 23.

“Blessed is the bishop who makes poverty and sharing his lifestyle because with his witness he is building the kingdom of heaven.”

With Advent coming during an ongoing pandemic, Christians are called to hold on to hope and foster a season of compassion and tenderness, Pope Francis said.