Tag: Pope Leo

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Third Sunday of Advent: A Celebration of Joyful Waiting

allycaralgoa

Written by Nikita Volvoikar

On this Third Sunday of Advent, the Church pauses its penitential tone to rejoice in hope and joyful expectation. Known as Gaudete Sunday, the day marks a turning point in the Advent journey as Christmas draws closer.

The liturgical colour shifts from violet to rose, symbolising joy, encouragement, and renewed hope. This “brightening” of violet reminds the faithful that the long-awaited celebration of Christ’s birth is near, even as the season of waiting continues.

Advent is not merely about waiting—it is about waiting with confidence. Reflecting this spirit, Pope Leo, in his homily today, described Gaudete Sunday as “the Sunday of joy,” reminding the faithful of the bright side of anticipation. He noted that this day calls believers to trust that “something beautiful, something joyful will happen.”

In a world often burdened by anxiety, uncertainty, and unrest, Gaudete Sunday offers a powerful reminder that Christian hope is rooted in joy. It invites families and communities to pause, reflect, and rediscover the promise of God’s love revealed in the coming of Jesus Christ.

As the Advent wreath now shines brighter, the rose candle serves as a gentle reminder that light is overcoming darkness. The faithful are encouraged to embrace this joy—not as fleeting happiness, but as a deep assurance that God is at work, even in times of waiting.

With hearts lifted in hope, the Third Sunday of Advent calls us to rejoice, trust, and prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Christmas.

Human Interest

Pope Leo Signs BMW Motorcycle for Charity Auction Benefiting Children in Madagascar

Tanisha Cardozo

In a rare and symbolic moment outside St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo signed a BMW motorcycle following his weekly General Audience — an act that quickly caught global attention not just for its visual spectacle, but for its purpose. The motorcycle is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in Munich, with all proceeds directed toward funding a school in Madagascar for children who have been forced to work in mica mines.

The initiative is being led by Missio Austria, part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and highlights the Catholic Church’s growing role in calling attention to child labor and systemic poverty in overlooked parts of the world. According to Missio Austria’s communications team, the funds will directly support education and safety for children in Madagascar — one of the world’s poorest nations and a major source of mica, a mineral often extracted by children in hazardous conditions.

By linking the auction to a high-profile event in Vatican City, and combining it with the universally recognized figure of the Pope, the campaign intends to raise both awareness and meaningful funding. It also exemplifies how symbolic gestures — like signing a motorcycle — can be transformed into real-world action, helping address some of the most urgent humanitarian crises of our time.

This isn’t the first time the Vatican has used high-value auctions as tools for charity, but it is one of the more visually arresting ones, combining sleek design, papal authority, and global philanthropy in one unified gesture.

The Sotheby’s auction is expected to attract collectors and benefactors alike, with hopes that the motorcycle — now carrying the signature of the Pope himself — will bring in significant contributions toward a future where children in Madagascar can trade the mines for classrooms.