Hope, together with faith and charity, makes up the triptych of the “theological virtues” that express the heart of the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor 13:13; 1 Thess 1:3). In their inseparable unity, hope is the virtue that, so to speak, gives inward direction and purpose to the life of believers. For this reason, the Apostle Paul encourages us to “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer” (Rom 12:12). Surely we need to “abound in hope” (cf. Rom 15:13), so that we may bear credible and attractive witness to the faith and love that dwell in our hearts; that our faith may be joyful and our charity enthusiastic; and that each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope. —Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, #18

The Catholic Church will celebrate a Jubilee Year in 2025, inviting pilgrims to come to Rome and pray at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Millions are expected to undertake the journey. Pope Francis has chosen the theme of hope to guide the prayers of the faithful: “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).

Hope is a word we use frequently, yet we may not understand its full meaning. “Hope [is] the confident desire of obtaining a future good that is difficult to attain. It is therefore a desire, which implies seeking and pursuing some future good that is not yet possessed . . . Hope is confident that what is desired will certainly be attained. . . it recognizes that the object wanted is not easily obtained and that it requires effort to overcome whatever obstacles stand in the way” (John A. Hardon, S.J., Modern Catholic Dictionary, p. 257).

Hope allows us to overcome the necessarily limited perspective of creatures who live in time. We cannot see the future, let alone the life of eternity in Heaven. Hope teaches us to strive patiently, day in and day out, to obtain the promise of eternal life, which is God’s gift to those who maintain a living friendship with him. Our hope is in God, who loves us and calls us to be with him forever.

Hopeful people are beacons of joy and serenity because they live with the certitude that no matter what may happen, God is good and will reward those who remain faithful to him. To be hopeful means to take God at his word: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). This assurance allows us to weather the storms of life with confidence.

The pro-life movement lives on hope: God will bless and favor our efforts to defend innocent human life no matter how fierce the opposition. Betrayals and roadblocks will come, but we do not lose our confident hope that what we are doing is worth it, that it is pleasing to God.

If you can make it to Rome in 2025, you will not regret it. The religious exercise of a pilgrimage is almost always a life-changing experience. But no matter what your future travel plans, turn your thoughts to where your hope lies: God is good, he loves us, and he rewards us for the good we do in his name.