Vatican City, Dec 13, 2015 / 03:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Gaudete Sunday Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Rome’s basilica of St. John Lateran, telling attendees that the joy of Jesus’ birth overcomes the sadness caused by hatred and violence.

As Christmas approaches, “we cannot let ourselves be taken in by fatigue; sadness in any form is not allowed, even though we have reason to be with the many concerns and the many forms of violence which hurt humanity,” the Pope said Dec. 13.