Pope Francis on Monday called on Christians to ‘overcome evil with good and hatred with love’.
The Pope in a tweet marking the feast of Saint Stephen said, ‘let us remember the martyrs of today and yesterday’, Vatican Radio reported.
The joy of Christmas also fills Christians’ hearts today as they celebrate the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, said the Holy Father.
He said the sacrifice of St Stephen became precisely the glory of Christian martyrdom.
The Pope said Jesus forewarns his disciples that they will be hated by all for the sake of his name.
The world hates Christians for the same reason it hated Jesus because He brought the light of God and the world prefers the darkness to hide its wicked works, he explained.