Joy should be the hallmark of a Christian’s life, a reflection of knowing that one is loved by God, saved by Jesus Christ and committed to leading others to him, Pope Francis said.

“The closer the Lord is to us, the more joy we feel; the farther away he is, the more sadness we feel. This is a rule for Christians,” the pope said Dec. 13, Gaudete Sunday.

Speaking to visitors in St. Peter’s Square for the noon recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis told them, “Once a philosopher said something more or less like this: ‘I do not understand how one can believe today, because those who say they believe have a face from a funeral wake.’”

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