“Urbi et orbi” is Latin for “to the city and to the world”. Or, rather “To the city and to the world” is English for “urbi et orbi”. Either way an “urbi et orbi” message is both for folks living in Rome and for everyone else.
There’s a plenary indulgence involved, too, and that’s another topic.
Pope Francis mentioned several current SNAFUs this particular “Urbi et Orbi” address, including but not limited to war in the eastern Mediterranean and Ukraine:
- “‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of His Holiness Pope Francis“
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25, 2023)
But mainly, he talked about what we’re celebrating during this season.
“…in these days, it is a place of sorrow and silence, yet it was there that the long-awaited message was first proclaimed: ‘To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord’ (Lk 2:11). Those words spoken by the angel in the heavens above Bethlehem are also spoken to us. We are full of hope and trust as we realize that the Lord has been born for us; that the eternal Word of the Father, the infinite God, has made his home among us. He became flesh; he came ‘to dwell among us’ (Jn 1:14). This is the good news that changed the course of history!…”
(“‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of His Holiness Pope Francis“, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25, 2023)) [emphasis mine]
Pope Francis also reminded us that there’s no shortage of injustices that haven’t been sorted out yet.
“…May the Son of God, who became a lowly Child, inspire political authorities and all persons of good will in the Americas to devise suitable ways to resolve social and political conflicts, to combat forms of poverty that offend the dignity of persons, to reduce inequality and to address the troubling phenomenon of migration movements.
“From the manger, the Child Jesus asks us to be the voice of those who have no voice. The voice of the innocent children who have died for lack of bread and water; the voice of those who cannot find work or who have lost their jobs; the voice of those forced to flee their lands in search of a better future, risking their lives in grueling journeys and prey to unscrupulous traffickers….”
(“‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of His Holiness Pope Francis“, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25, 2023)) [emphasis mine]
I’ve got several options open for how I see what he said.
I could get upset: either because Pope Francis mentioned unresolved problems here in the Americas; or because I can’t, personally, end poverty, hunger and human cussedness.
That doesn’t strike me as reasonable.
Neither does letting myself get upset because the pope said that war is not good for people.
I think he’s right about that. And I think the situation isn’t nearly as simple as campus protestors seemed to feel, back in my youth. And that’s yet another topic.
More stuff that may or may not relate to this:
- “‘Christmas Sermon for Pagans’: Viewpoints, Nature; and Hope“
(December 23, 2023 ) - “Free to Agree With Me: Cancel Culture and Freedom of Expression“
(November 18, 2023) - “Hamas, Harvard, Ukraine and Alaska Air: Looking for a Bright Side“
(October 28, 2023) - “War, Peace and a Civilization of Love“
(November 12, 2022) - “Climate, Neighbors, Bogeymen and Responsibility“
(November 5, 2022 )
