"With the penitential sign of the ashes in the head, we begin the annual pilgrimage of the Holy Lent, in faith and hope," says Pope Francis in his message for the liturgical time of Lent 2025 that the Press Office of the Holy See: "Let's walk together in La Esperanza" published this February 25. "

For Lent, which this year includes from March 5 to April 17, "enriched by the grace of the Jubilee Year," Pope Francis reflects on the meaning of "walking together in hope and discovering the calls to the conversion that God's mercy directs us to all, in a personal and community way."

Read here the full text of the message for Lent 2025

Immigrants and pilgrims

On the action of "walking", says Francisco that "the motto of the jubilee,‘ Pilgrims of Hope ’, evokes the long journey of the people of Israel towards the promised land, narrated in the book of the Exodus; The difficult path from slavery to freedom, loved and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and always remains faithful. ”

Of what arises a "call to conversion, because we are all pilgrims in life." And ask the questions: how do I let me question this condition? Am I really on the way or a little paralyzed, static, with fear and lack of hope; or satisfied in my comfort zone? Are I looking for roads of liberation from sin situations and lack of dignity?

Conversion to synodality

And secondly he reflects on "the vocation of the Church is to walk together, be synodal," affirming that "the Holy Spirit drives us to get out of ourselves to go to God and the brothers, and never to lock ourselves in ourselves."

And he raises a second call, "the conversion to synodality" making examination of awareness about the ability "to walk with others, to listen, to overcome the temptation to lock ourselves in our self -referentiality, dealing only with our needs."

Conversion into hope

Finally, he insists on his invitation to live “this way together in the hope of a promise. The hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rm 5,5), central message of the jubilee, be it for us the horizon of the Lenten Road towards the Pascual Victory, ”he says.

And with it a "third call to conversion: that of hope, that of trust in God and in its great promise, eternal life. We must ask ourselves: I have the conviction that God forgives my sins, or do I behave as if I could save me alone? ”

Pope Francis ends recalling that “thanks to the love of God in Jesus Christ we are protected by the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rm 5,5). Hope is "the anchor of the soul", safe and firm. In it the Church begs for "everyone to save" (1 Tm 2,4) "