Pope Francis says Christ's 'upsetting' message is an invitation to conversion

Pope Francis has stated on Tuesday that the story of St. Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr, demonstrates that the message of Jesus is often "upsetting," but it is an invitation for people to convert and change their way of thinking.

During his Angelus address at St. Peter's Square for the feast of St. Stephen, Francis said that Jesus' message "is upsetting, and it upsets us ... after his coming, we have to convert, to change mentalities, to stop thinking the way we did before."

The feast of St. Stephen is celebrated by Catholics on the day after Christmas, according to Crux. Stephen, who is celebrated as the first martyr, or the "protomartyr," of the Church, is presented in the New Testament as a deacon who drew outrage from the religious leaders of the day when he preached the new Christian faith. He was eventually stoned to death after he was accused of planning to destroy the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

In his address, the pope noted that at first glance, it might seem like there is not much of a link between the birth of Christ and the death of St. Stephen, but he stressed that the connection is "very strong."

The pontiff noted that Stephen put the religious leaders "into crisis," because "he firmly believed and professed the new presence of God among men."

When Stephen told the leaders that Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs that Moses handed down to them, he understood that "the true temple of God is now Jesus, eternal Word come to live in our midst, (who) became like us in all things, apart from sin," Francis said.

The pope further explained that despite the accusations against Stephen, he stayed "anchored" in the message of Jesus until his last breath, with his final prayers being "Lord Jesus, welcome my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

Stephen's last words, Francis said, were "a faithful echo" of the words uttered by Jesus on the cross when He prayed, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit," and "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

The pope stressed that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men, and He intercedes for people not only during death, as in Stephen's case, but also in every moment of life. He added that Jesus not only reconciles people with God the Father but also with each other.

Francis is expected to offer another Angelus address on New Year's Eve, and he will also preside over the traditional Vespers service in thanksgiving for the year coming to a close. On New Year's Day, he will celebrate a mass honoring the Virgin Mary, followed by another Angelus.