The Guardian’s view of the persistence of hope: a necessary virtue in troubled times editorial

IIn the introduction to a new seasonal compilation of his speeches on the theme of hope, Pope Francis reflects on the legacy of the great German theologian Johann Baptist Metz. Shaped by his early experience of living through the horrors of the Nazi era, Metz’s political theology was a passionate warning about the danger of selfish Christian piety. Instead, he advocated a hopeful “mysticism with open eyes” that bears clear-sighted witness and seeks to alleviate the suffering of others.

At a time of year associated with renewal and rebirth, it is not necessary to share Metz’s religious beliefs to feel the power of this message. This year has been full of heartbreaking images from the ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere. Over the weekend there were reports of more innocent victims of the relentless Israeli bombing, including children seeking refuge in a school. It is estimated that more than 12,000 civilians and more than 43,000 soldiers have been killed since Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine began.

Faced with a human catastrophe of such magnitude, there is a temptation to turn away in despair or resignation. The shocking terrorist attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market on Friday, in which five people, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed, caused further horror. More needs to be determined about the motives of the attacker, a Saudi-born refugee who was reportedly an anti-Muslim supporter of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. But the atrocity is already being exploited to stoke general anti-immigrant sentiment ahead of Germany’s snap elections in February.

These are dark times. Yet amidst this tragedy and suffering, there continue to be inspiring examples of committed hope. In Gaza, NGO workers from War Child – one of the conflict-related charities supported by this year’s Guardian and Observer Christmas Appeal – have taken deadly risks to provide life-saving assistance to more than 100,000 children trapped in a hellish landscape . In the war-ravaged east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Médecins Sans Frontières has set up clinics to help thousands of victims of sexual violence, our reporter was told of the incredible compassion of survivors who make it their mission to comfort and console newcomers .

Elsewhere there were extraordinary acts of individual heroism aimed at promoting the common good. In France, Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to insist that the trial of her multiple rapists be held in public was a significant act of solidarity with other victims. Their courage has raised hopes for lasting and belated cultural change. The death of activist Alexei Navalny, who died while incarcerated in a prison 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle, was an extremely dark moment in Putin’s Russia. But his statement on Facebook that “if your beliefs mean something, you must be willing to stand up for them” will inspire future Democratic activists.

The pope’s reflections were published in the context of the Catholic Church’s recent anniversary year, which begins on Christmas Eve and is dedicated to the theme of hope. They may not find their way onto too many secular bookshelves in the coming holidays. But as we face a year in which peacemaking must become the world’s absolute priority, the Metzian belief in our ability to navigate through the worst toward the light seems a good place to start.

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