Pope preaches value of hope, kindness on popular BBC program

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Speaking on one of the United Kingdom's most popular radio programs, Pope Francis encouraged millions of listeners to reject pessimism, treat others with kindness and look to the future with hope.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4's "Though for the Day" segment, the pope said that "a world full of hope and kindness is a more beautiful world."

"A society that looks to the future with confidence and treats people with respect and empathy is more humane," he said.

"Thought for the Day" airs each morning Monday to Saturday as part of the BBC's "Today" program, which boasts an estimated average weekly audience of about 6 million listeners.

While the pope gave his message in Italian, the BBC added the English translation with a voice-over for the Dec. 28 broadcast.

Pope Francis tied his message to the Holy Year 2025, calling all people to "become pilgrims of hope." The Jubilee Year began Dec. 24 and will run through Jan. 6, 2026.

"Even though we do not know what tomorrow may hold for us, we should not look to the future with pessimism and resignation," the pope said. "Wars, social injustices and the many forms of violence we are exposed to every day should not dishearten us nor draw us toward skepticism and discouragement."

Instead, Pope Francis said, people should "choose love," which "makes our hearts fervent and hopeful."

"Those who love, even if they find themselves in uncertain situations, always view the world with a gentle gaze of hope," he said.

However, the pope cautioned against reducing kindness to "a diplomatic strategy," emphasizing that it is not a "set of rules to ensure social harmony or to obtain other advantages."

Rather, "kindness is a form of love that opens hearts to acceptance and helps us all to become more humble," he said. Humility "lends itself to dialogue, helps to overcome misunderstandings and generates gratitude."

Quoting the British Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton, Pope Francis also spoke about the importance of "taking the elements of life with gratitude and not for granted."

"I hope that during this Jubilee we can practice kindness as a form of love to connect with others," the pope said, praying that 2025 would bring "peace, fellowship and gratitude."

Pope Francis previously appeared on "Thought for the Day" in 2021 ahead of the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was the first pontiff featured on the program, delivering a pre-recorded message on Christmas Eve in 2010.