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31 Jan MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, WITH CIVIL SOCIETY AND WITH THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Posted at 17:01h in by

Mr President of the Republic,
Distinguished Members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps,
distinguished religious and civil Authorities,
Distinguished Representatives of civil society and the world of culture,
Ladies and gentlemen!

I cordially greet you, and I am grateful to the President for the words he has
addressed to me. I am happy to be here, in this land so beautiful, vast,
luxuriant, which embraces the equatorial forest to the north, plateaus and
wooded savannahs in the center and to the south, hills, mountains, volcanoes
and lakes to the east, great waters to the west, with the Congo River meeting
the ocean. In your country, which is like a continent in the great African
continent, it seems that the whole earth breathes. But if the geography of this
green lung is so rich and varied, history has not been equally generous:
tormented by war, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to suffer conflicts
and forced migrations within its borders, and to suffer terrible forms of
exploitation, unworthy of man and creation. This immense and full of life
country, thisdiaphragm of Africa, struck by the violence as if by a punch in the
stomach, seems breathless for some time. Mr President, you mentioned this
forgotten genocide that the Republic of Congo is suffering.
And as you Congolese struggle to preserve your dignity and territorial integrity
against despicable attempts to fragment your country, I come to you, in the
name of Jesus, as a pilgrim of reconciliation and peace. I have longed to be here
and finally I come to bring you the closeness, affection and consolation of the
whole Church, and to learn from your example of patience, courage and
struggle.
I would like to speak to you through an image that well symbolizes the luminous
beauty of this land: the image of the diamond. Dear Congolese women and men,
your country really isa diamond of creation; but you, all of you, are infinitely
more precious than any good that springs from this fertile soil! I am here to
embrace you and to remind you that you are of inestimable value, that the
Church and the Pope have faith in you, they believe in your future, in a future
that will bein your hands and in which you deserve to pour your gifts of
intelligence, sagacity and industriousness. Courage, Congolese brother and
sister! Get up, take back in your hands, like a pure diamond, what you are, your
dignity, your vocation to keep the house you live in in harmony and peace.
Relive the spirit of your national anthem, dreaming and putting into practice its
words: «Through hard work, we will build a more beautiful country than before;
in peace”.
Dear friends, diamonds, commonly rare, abound here. If this is true for the
material riches hidden underground, it is even more so for the spiritual ones
enclosed in hearts. And it is precisely starting from hearts that peace and
development remain possible because, with God’s help, human beings are
capable of justice and forgiveness, harmony and reconciliation, commitment and
perseverance in putting to good use the talents received. From the beginning of
my journey, I have therefore wanted to make an appeal: let each Congolese feel
called to do their part! May violence and hatred no longer have a place in
anyone’s heart or lips, because they are anti-human and anti-Christian
sentiments, which paralyze development and lead us back to a dark past.
Speaking of slowed down development and a return to the past, it is tragic that
these places, and more generally the African continent, still suffer from various
forms of exploitation. There is that motto that comes from the unconscious of
many cultures and many people: “Africa must be exploited”, this is terrible! After
the political one, an equally enslaving “economic colonialism” was unleashed.
Thus this country, extensively plundered, is unable to benefit sufficiently from its
immense resources: the paradox has come that the fruits of its land make it
“foreign” to its inhabitants. The poison of greed has made its ownblood
diamonds. It is a drama to which the more economically advanced world often
closes its eyes, ears and mouth. But this country and this continent deserve to
be respected and listened to, they deserve space and attention: hands off the
Democratic Republic of Congo, hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not
a mine to be exploited or land to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of
its destiny! May the world remember the disasters wrought over the centuries to
the detriment of local populations and not forget this country and this continent.
Africa, smile and hope of the world, counts more: if it is talked about more, it
has more weight and representation among the Nations!
Make way for a diplomacy of man for man, of peoples for peoples, where the
center is not the control of areas and resources, the aims of expansion and the
increase of profits, but the opportunities for growth of the people. Looking at this
people, one gets the impression that the international community has almost
resigned itself to the violence that is devouring them. We cannot get used to the
blood that has been flowing in this country for decades now, reaping millions of
deaths without the knowledge of many. Know what happens here. The ongoing
peace processes, which I encourage with all my strength, are supported with
deeds and commitments are kept. Thanks be to God, there is no shortage of
those who contribute to the good of the local population and to real development
through effective projects: not mere assistance interventions, but plans aimed at
integral growth. I express great gratitude to the countries and organizations that
provide substantial aid in this sense, aiding the fight against poverty and
disease, supporting the rule of law, promoting respect for human rights. I
express the hope that they may continue to carry out this noble role fully and
courageously.
Let’s go back to the image of the diamond. Once worked, its beauty also derives
from its shape, from numerous harmoniously arranged faces. Even this country,
enhanced by its typical pluralism, has a multifaceted character. It is a richness
that must be preserved, avoiding slipping into tribalism and opposition.
Obstinately siding with one’s ethnic group or for particular interests, fueling
spirals of hatred and violence, works to the detriment of everyone, as it blocks
the necessary “chemistry of the whole”. Speaking of chemistry, it is interesting
that diamonds are made up of simple carbon atoms which, however, if linked
together in different ways, form graphite: in practice, the difference between the
brightness of a diamond and the darkness of graphite is given by the way
individual atoms are arranged within the crystal lattice. Metaphor aside, the
problem is not the nature of men or of ethnic and social groups, but the way in
which we decide to stay together: whether or not we want to meet each other, to
reconcile and to start over marks the difference between darkness of conflict and
a bright future of peace and prosperity.
Dear friends, the Heavenly Father wants us to know how to welcome each other
as brothers and sisters of one family and to work towards a future that is
together with others, not against others. «Bintu bantu»: thus, very effectively,
one of your proverbs reminds us that true wealth is people and good
relationships with them. Religions in a special way, with their patrimony of
wisdom, are called to contribute to it, in the daily effort to renounce all
aggression, proselytism and coercion, means unworthy of human freedom. When
it degenerates into imposing itself, hunting for followers in an indiscriminate way,
by deception or by force, it plunders the conscience of others and turns its back
on the true God, because – let us not forget – “where there is Spirit of the Lord,
there is freedom” (2 Cor 3,17) and where there is no freedom, there is no Spirit
of the Lord. In the commitment to build a future of peace and fraternity, the
members of civil society, some of whom are present, also play an essential role.
They have often shown that they know how to oppose injustice and degradation
at the cost of great sacrifices, in order to defend human rights, the need for a
solid education for all and a more dignified life for each one. I sincerely thank
the women and men, especially the young people of this country, who have
suffered to varying degrees because of this, and I pay them tribute.

The diamond, in its transparency, refracts the light it receives in a wonderful
way. Many of you shine for the role you play. Those who hold civil and
government responsibilities are therefore called to operate with crystalline
clarity, experiencing the assignment received as a means of serving society.
Indeed, power makes sense only if it becomes service. How important it is to
operate with this spirit, avoiding authoritarianism, the search for easy earnings
and the greed for money, which the Apostle Paul defines as the “root of all evil”
(1 Tim 6,10). And at the same time promote free, transparent, credible
elections; extend even further participation in peace processes to women, youth
and various groups, to marginalized groups; seek the common good and
people’s safety rather than personal or group interests; strengthen the presence
of the State in every part of the territory; take care of the many displaced
people and refugees. Don’t let yourself be manipulated or bought by those who
want to keep the country in violence, to exploit it and do shameful business: this
only brings discredit and shame, together with death and misery. Instead, it is
good to approach people, to understand how they live. People trust when they
feel that whoever governs them is really close, not by calculation or by show, but
by service.
In society, the light of goodness is often obscured by the darkness of injustice
and corruption. Already centuries ago Saint Augustine, who was born on this
continent, asked himself: “If justice is not respected, what are states if not large
gangs of thieves?” (of civ. I gave, IV,4). God is on the side of those who hunger
and thirst for justice (cfMt 5,6). We must never tire of promoting law and
fairness in every sector, opposing impunity and the manipulation of laws and
information.
A diamond rises from the ground genuine but rough, in need of processing.
Thus, even the most precious diamonds of the Congolese land, who are the
children of this nation, must be able to take advantage of valid educational
opportunities, which allow them to make full use of the brilliant talents they
have. Education is fundamental: it is the way to the future, the road to take to
achieve full freedom in this country and the African continent. It is urgent to
invest in it, to prepare societies that will be consolidated only if well educated,
autonomous only if fully aware of their potential and capable of developing it
with responsibility and perseverance. But many children do not go to school:
how many, instead of receiving a worthy education, are exploited! Too many die,
subjected to slave labor in the mines. Efforts are spared to denounce the
scourge of child labor and put an end to it. How many girls are marginalized and
violated in their dignity! Children, girls, young people are the present of hope,
they are hope: let us not allow it to be erased, but let us cultivate it with
passion!
The diamond, a gift from the earth, calls for the custody of creation, for the
protection of the environment. Located in the heart of Africa, the Democratic
Republic of Congo is home to one of the largest green lungs in the world, which
must be preserved. As with peace and development, broad and fruitful collaboration
is important in this field as well, which allows for effective intervention, without
imposing external models that are more useful to those who help than to those who
are helped. Many have asked Africa for commitment and have offered aid to combat
climate change and the coronavirus. These are certainly opportunities to be seized,
but above all there is a need for health and social models that respond not only to the
urgencies of the moment, but contribute to effective social growth: solid structures and
honest and competent personnel, to overcome the serious problems that they block
development in the bud, such as hunger and disease. Finally, diamond is the mineral
of natural origin with the highest hardness; its resistance to chemical agents is very high.
The continuous repetition of violent attacks and the many uncomfortable situations could
weaken the resistance of the Congolese, undermine their fortitude, lead them to become
discouraged and withdraw into resignation. But in the name of Christ, who is the God of
hope, the God of every possibility who always gives the strength to start over, in the name
of the dignity and value of the most precious diamonds of this land, who are its citizens,
I would like to invite all to a courageous and inclusive social restart. The bright but
wounded history of the country asks for it, especially young people and children beg him.
I am with you and with prayer and closeness I accompany every effort for a peaceful,
harmonious and prosperous future of this great country. God bless the entire Congolese nation!

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17 Jan MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Posted at 16:52h in by

Please note that this document is an unofficial translation and is provided for
reference only.

Dear brothers and sisters!
To all of you, gathered in the General Chapter of the Gerosolomite Order of Saint
John, I address my cordial greeting.
First of all, I would like to listen to the Gospel with you: “When the Son of man
comes in his glory, […] he will say to those on his right hand: ‘Come, you
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. since the creation of
the world, because I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, naked and you clothed me,
sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you you have come to see me”.
Then the righteous will answer him: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When have we ever seen you a
stranger and welcomed you, or naked and dressed you? When have we ever
seen you sick or in prison and come to visit you?”. And the king will answer
them: Truly I tell you, whatever you did to one of the least of these my brothers,
you did it to me”” (25:31-40).
These words sum up the millennial mission of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller
Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. They reveal what Jesus
proclaimed and above all lived: that love of God requires love of neighbor. He
identifies himself with the poor and needy, with the little ones of this world. He
made himself the smallest, and conforming oneself to Jesus in relating to needy
neighbors goes beyond philanthropy and charity and becomes a testimony of his
closeness, of his love.
In this Gospel parable, love takes the form of giving food and drink; it is the
action of dressing and welcoming; it is the time to go and visit; it is the attitude
of hospitality. How much time do we dedicate to this love, which is service (cfGv
13,4-5)? To take care of the thirst, nudity, illnesses and imprisonments of those
around us? Perhaps too little, because intent on our things, our work, our
interests. The love of one who makes himself a servant, on the other hand, so
humble, hidden, small and silent, is the seed from which the biggest tree sprouts
and grows and on which everyone wishes to dwell (cf.Mt 13:32): the tree of
eternal life (cfGen 2,9).

Therefore, Jesus makes us understand clearly that, at the end of our life, we will
be judged on how much we have concretely loved Him, meeting and loving
others. He reveals to us that every gesture of attention towards the sick, the
hungry, the thirsty, the naked and so on is an act of love towards Him; and
likewise what we refuse to do to our neighbor, we deny to Himself.
To build a more just world, there is no other way than that of the Gospel; and we
are called to begin with us, practicing charity where we live.
In the gesture of washing the feet, Jesus shows us that the meaning of being
Master and Lord is service to others (cfGv 13:12-16; 18.37). Jesus reigns in
humility: from a manger and from a cross. With his words, his life and his death,
the Master shows us that the works of mercy open the doors of the eternal
Kingdom. And in your Order you try to live this every day; this is a cause of
great joy for me!
Of great merit is your work of consoling the afflicted, both in their spiritual and
material needs.
Forgive the offenses! I sincerely ask you to come to sincere mutual forgiveness,
to reconciliation, after moments of tension and difficulty that you have
experienced in the recent past. May the charity of forgiveness be the lifestyle
that distinguishes you. Knowing how to forgive is an indication of freedom, of the
generosity of the heart, of the capacity for unconditional love; it is the
expression of a merciful heart; it translates into lived fraternity, into expressed
cordiality, into reciprocity of feelings. And by this they will recognize that you are
disciples of the Lord Jesus (cfGv 13,35).
This spirit and this way of working closely connects you to Blessed Gerard and to
the first brothers who joined him, to serve pilgrims from the Holy Land in the
Hospital of Jerusalem.
The worldly mentality, selfish and consumerist today, is a challenge which, with
your exemplary life and your works of mercy, you are called to face, because it is
in stark contrast to the Gospel. You do this, for example, by caring for the sick
and visiting prisoners. I know that in many parts of the world you members and
your Volunteers dedicate yourselves to these works. Accompany also those who
are approaching the moment of death, so delicate, in the transition from this
earth to eternal life.
Today the ancient struggles to defend faith and Christianity have moved to a
broader and more universal front, that of growth in faith and truth, which are
the basis of your humanitarian action. In fact, the first part of your motto is the
protection of faith. Without faith your works would be just philanthropy. Being
disciples of Jesus makes you witnesses of his Resurrection and propagators of
his Kingdom on earth. This naturally requires ongoing formation, for you
Professed and also for you members of the Second and Third Class, from which I
hope and pray that many vocations to religious consecration will arise in the
service of “our Lord’s poor”. And this expression, which I like very much, “poor
of Our Lord”, recalls the other part of your motto, the service of the poor,
devotion to the poor and the sick. Theprotection of faith and the service of the
poor they are inseparable for you.
I appreciate the fact that you are making an effort to implement this
combination today, as for example in Lampedusa, with the migrants who have
fled their countries; as in Ukraine and neighboring countries, with those fleeing
the war; and so in many other places and for many other needs.
Thank you! Thanks for all this. Thank you because you make yourselves
available to your brothers and sisters in need, pushing you to the existential
peripheries where you can meet and serve Christ.
A few years have passed since the Order needed me to accompany it on a path
that was at times arduous, but which was necessary to arrive with renewed love
to serve the “poor gentlemen and sick gentlemen”. The Church, which is Mother,
could not fail to take care of you, of your Order, in full harmony with your life
and your historical tradition. Over the course of its almost thousand years of
history, the Order of Malta has always demonstrated its fidelity to Christ, to his
Church and to his Vicar on earth, the Pope. For this reason, as I recalled in the
Decree of 3 September last, many my predecessors intervened to accompany
delicate transitional moments in his life.
The new Constitutional Charter and the new Melitense Code are the fruit of a
long journey, dictated by meetings and dialogues between the various
components of the Order and my Special Delegate. Although not without
opposition, we finally came to the drafting of these two documents, which are
fundamental for your personal life and for the good of the many and meritorious
works you have on every continent. The whole Order is now called to reflect
carefully and scrupulously on the renewal, contained in the Constitutional
Charter and in the Melitensi Code, in the wake of tradition. This will be the
specific task for the new government that will be elected.
All the members of the First, Second and Third Class, together with the
Volunteers, whose work is essential, are called to receive and implement the
new Constitutional Charter and the Melitensi Code, so that a spiritual and of
activity in charity, thus strengthening its unity.
May the First Class, made up of the Knights of Justice, who profess the three
evangelical counsels, giving their lives fully to Christ and His Church, fervently
resume religious life in its entirety, faithfully observing the solemn vows made to
God, living in fraternal communion. Community life is a sign of this communion.
The Second Class is renewed in the interiorization and concrete implementation
of the promise of obedience which binds it to the Order.

May the Third Class be available, in a testimony of life, in close collaboration with
the works of the Order.
All members of the Order and Volunteers are called to communion. Our Lord
asks for it. In his “testament”, which is reported to us in the Gospel of John, the
Master prayed for the unity of histo be one, “so that the world may believe” (Gv
17.21). And you are called to this. Firmly consolidate your unity, otherwise you
will not be credible in your works. Conflicts and contrasts damage your mission.
Lust for power and other worldly attachments distance us from Christ, they are
temptations to be rejected. Let us remember the “rich young man” of the
Gospel, who, although moved by good intentions, failed to follow Jesus because
he was attached to his things and his interests.
The unity of all the members of the Order is necessary for the fulfillment of the
mission proper to it. The Evil One knows this well, and as always tries to create
division. We are careful not to compromise with the tempter, even
unintentionally. He often deceives under the guise of good, and what may
appear to be for the glory of God may turn out to be our vain glory.
All the structures of the Order are to be valued and enriched by the presence of
members of the various Classes, well trained and animated by a spirit of service.
And the works of the Order, born from the evangelical intuition of Blessed
Gerard, are not at the service of the members of the Order, but always to serve
the “Poor of Our Lord”.
Sovereignty itself, a well-known and unique characteristic that you enjoy as a
religious order, is and must be functional in the service of the works of mercy
you carry out. We need to be vigilant lest it be distorted by the worldly
mentality. May your diplomatic missions also be instruments for the exercise of
charity and solidarity.
The gratuitousness and fervor with which you embraced the Johannine ideal is
well represented by the octagonal cross you wear: this reminds you of the
evangelical Beatitudes, with the eight points of the Maltese cross. Be proud and
worthy of it, remembering who, on the cross, gave his life for our salvation.
I would like to sincerely thank my Special Delegate and his closest collaborators
for all the work carried out with patience and seriousness, and carried out for so
long until reaching a result that responded to the needs of the Order itself.
I wish you all fruitful work in this General Chapter, which will see the birth of a
Government called to lead the Order along the path traced by the Provisional
Government which I have composed, and to which I express my deep gratitude
for the way it has wisely conducted the Order in these months.
I invoke the heavenly protection of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Fileremo, of St.
John the Baptist, of Blessed Gerard and of all the saints and blesseds of the
Order so that they may accompany you, together with St. Michael the Archangel,
on the journey that you are called to undertake in fidelity to the charism
foundational. And my Apostolic Blessing reaches you all, which I cordially impart
to all the Members and Volunteers, as well as to all the Clients and Organizations
of the Order.

From the Vatican, 17 January 2023, memorial of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

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09 Jan SPEECH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Posted at 16:49h in by

Please note that this document is an unofficial translation and is provided for
reference only.

[…] The current conflict in Ukraine has made more evident the crisis that has
long affected the multilateral system, which needs a profound rethinking in order
to adequately respond to the challenges of our time. This requires a reform of
the bodies that allow them to function, so that they are truly representative of
the needs and sensitivities of all peoples, avoiding mechanisms that give more
weight to some to the detriment of others. Therefore, it is not a question of
building blocks of alliances, but of creating opportunities for everyone to be able
to dialogue.
A lot of good can be done together, just think of the commendable initiatives
aimed at reducing poverty, helping migrants, combating climate change,
promoting nuclear disarmament and offering humanitarian aid. However, in
recent times, the various international forums have been marked by growing
polarizations and attempts to impose a single thought, which prevents dialogue
and marginalizes those who think differently. There is the risk of a drift, which
increasingly assumes the face of an ideological totalitarianism, which promotes
intolerance towards those who do not adhere to alleged positions of “progress”,
which in reality seem rather to lead to a general regression of humanity, with
violation of freedom of thought and conscience.
Furthermore, ever greater resources have been used to impose forms of
ideological colonisation, especially on the poorest countries, creating a direct link
between the provision of economic aid and the acceptance of such ideologies.
This has strained the debate within international organizations, precluding
fruitful exchanges and often opening up the temptation to address issues
independently and, consequently, on the basis of power relations.
On the other hand,during my trip to Canada, last July, I was able to touch the
consequences of colonization first-hand, especially meeting the indigenous
populations, who suffered from the assimilation policies of the past. Any attempt
to impose forms of thought on other cultures that do not belong to them opens
the way to bitter confrontation and sometimes even violence.
It is necessary to return to dialogue, mutual listening and negotiation, promoting
shared responsibilities and cooperation in the search for the common good, in
the name of that solidarity that “comes from knowing that we are responsible for
the fragility of others by seeking a common destiny” (Encyclical Letter Fratelli
Tutti, 3 October 2020, 115). Mutual foreclosures and vetoes only fuel further
divisions.

Peace in solidarity
In the annualMessage for the World Day of Peace,, I highlighted how the
Covid-19 pandemic leaves behind «the awareness that we all need each other»
(Message for the 2023 World Day of Peace, 8 December 2022, 3). The paths of
peace are paths of solidarity, as no one can save themselves. We live in a world
so interconnected that everyone’s actions end up having repercussions on
everyone.
Here, I would like to underline three areas in which the interconnection that
binds humanity today emerges with particular force and for which greater
solidarity is particularly urgent.
The first is that of migrations, which affects entire regions of the Earth. Many
times these are people fleeing war and persecution, facing immense dangers. On
the other hand, “every human being has the right to freedom of movement, […]
to immigrate to and settle in other political communities” (Pacem in Terris, 25)
and must have the opportunity to return to their homeland.
Migration is an issue for which “proceeding in random order” is not admissible.
To understand it, just look at the Mediterranean, which has become a large
cemetery. Those broken lives are the emblem of the sinking of our civilization, as
I was able to recall during my trip to Malta last spring. In Europe, it is urgent to
strengthen the regulatory framework, through the approval of the New Pact on
Migration and Asylum, so that adequate policies can be implemented to
welcome, accompany, promote and integrate migrants. At the same time,
solidarity requires that the necessary assistance and care operations for the
shipwrecked do not entirely burden the populations of the main landing points.

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06 Jan APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION IN THE COMMUNION OF CHURCHES ABOUT THE ORDER OF THE VICARIATE OF ROME

Posted at 16:47h in by

[…] 8. A significant number of people and families who live in the various
districts of the city of Rome, not just the suburbs, are burdened by serious
economic, social, psychological and health problems. The aging of the
population, the demographic crisis, the presence of homeless people are the
consequence of ill-advised choices, as well as a symptom of the hardships and
uncertainties of our time. May the Christians of Rome, and in particular those
entrusted with pastoral tasks and responsibilities, be aware that they must carry
out their mission in a context in which many people find themselves
experiencing situations of great suffering.
Particular effort must be poured into welcoming the many refugees and migrants
so that the Church of Rome is, for all the other Churches, a witness to the fact
that no one must be excluded: “your doors will always be open” (Is 60, 11).
Through targeted pastoral and social programmes, the contribution that each
one can make to the good of all must be recognised, supported and valued. […]

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01 Jan MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS FOR THE LVI WORLD DAY OF PEACE

Posted at 15:36h in by

«As regards the times and the moments, brothers, you don’t need me to write to
you; for you well know that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”
(First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5,1-2).
1. With these words, the Apostle Paul invited the community of Thessalonica to
remain steadfast, with their feet and heart firmly planted on the earth, capable
of an attentive gaze on reality and on the events of history. Therefore, even if
the events of our existence appear so tragic and we feel pushed into the dark
and difficult tunnel of injustice and suffering, we are called to keep our hearts
open to hope, trusting in God who becomes present, accompanies us with
tenderness , supports us in our efforts and, above all, directs our path. For this
reason, St. Paul constantly exhorts the community to be vigilant, seeking
goodness, justice and truth: “Let us not sleep like the others, but let us be
vigilant and sober” (5:6). It is an invitation to stay awake, not to lock ourselves
up in fear, pain or resignation, not to give in to distraction, not to be discouraged
but instead to be like sentinels capable of staying awake and seizing the first
light of dawn, especially in the darker.
2. Covid-19 has plunged us into the middle of the night, destabilizing our
ordinary life, turning our plans and habits upside down, overturning the apparent
tranquility of even the most privileged societies, generating disorientation and
suffering, causing death of so many of our brothers and sisters.
Pushed into the whirlwind of sudden challenges and into a situation that was not
entirely clear even from a scientific point of view, the world of health has
mobilized to soothe the pain of many and to try to remedy it; as well as the
political authorities, who had to adopt considerable measures in terms of
organization and management of the emergency.
Together with the physical manifestations, Covid-19 has caused, even with
long-term effects, a general malaise that has concentrated in the hearts of many
people and families, with not negligible implications, fueled by long periods of
isolation and various limitations of freedom.
Furthermore, we cannot forget how the pandemic has touched some raw nerves
in the social and economic order, bringing out contradictions and inequalities. It
has threatened the job security of many and aggravated the increasingly
widespread loneliness in our societies, especially that of the weakest and of the
poor. We think, for example, of the millions of informal workers in many parts of
the world, left without work and without any support throughout the
confinement period.
Rarely do individuals and society progress in situations that generate such a
sense of defeat and bitterness: in fact, it weakens the efforts spent for peace
and causes social conflicts, frustrations and violence of various kinds. In this
sense, the pandemic seems to have upset even the most peaceful areas of our
world, bringing out countless fragilities.
3. After three years, it’s time to take some time to question ourselves, learn,
grow and allow ourselves to be transformed, as individuals and as a community;
a privileged time to prepare for the “day of the Lord”. I have already had the
opportunity to repeat several times that moments of crisis never come out the
same: one comes out either better or worse. Today we are called to ask
ourselves: what have we learned from this pandemic situation? What new paths
will we have to take to abandon the chains of our old habits, to be better
prepared, to dare to be new? What signs of life and hope can we grasp to move
forward and try to make our world better?
Certainly, having experienced first-hand the fragility that distinguishes human
reality and our personal existence, we can say that the greatest lesson that
Covid-19 leaves us as a legacy is the awareness that we all need each other, that
the our greatest treasure, albeit even more fragile, is human brotherhood,
founded on the common divine sonship, and that no one can save himself alone.
It is therefore urgent to seek and promote together the universal values which
trace the path of this human brotherhood. We have also learned that the trust
placed in progress, technology and the effects of globalization has not only been
excessive, but has turned into an individualistic and idolatrous intoxication,
undermining the desired guarantee of justice, concord and peace. In our
fast-paced world, very often the widespread problems of imbalances, injustices,
poverty and marginalization fuel ills and conflicts, and generate violence and
even wars.
While, on the one hand, the pandemic has brought out all of this, we have been
able, on the other, to make positive discoveries: a beneficial return to humility; a
downsizing of certain consumerist claims; a renewed sense of solidarity that
encourages us to get out of our selfishness to open ourselves to the suffering of
others and their needs; as well as a commitment, in some cases truly heroic, of
many people who have spent themselves so that everyone could better
overcome the drama of the emergency.
From this experience came the stronger awareness that invites everyone,
peoples and nations, to put the word “together” back at the center. Indeed, it is
together, in fraternity and solidarity, that we build peace, guarantee justice,
overcome the most painful events. The most effective responses to the
pandemic have in fact been those that have seen social groups, public and
private institutions, international organizations united to respond to the
challenge, leaving aside particular interests. Only the peace that comes from
fraternal and selfless love can help us overcome personal, social and global
crises.
4. At the same time, when we dared to hope that the worst of the night of the
Covid-19 pandemic had been overcome, a new terrible disaster fell upon
humanity. We have witnessed the emergence of another scourge: another war,
in part comparable to Covid-19, but nevertheless driven by guilty human
choices. The war in Ukraine reaps innocent victims and spreads uncertainty, not
only for those directly affected by it, but in a widespread and indiscriminate way
for everyone, even for those who, thousands of kilometers away, suffer its
collateral effects – just think of the grain problems and fuel prices.
Certainly, this is not the post-Covid era we hoped or expected. In fact, this war,
together with all the other conflicts around the globe, represents a defeat for all
of humanity and not just for the parties directly involved. While a vaccine has
been found for Covid-19, adequate solutions have not yet been found for war.
Certainly the virus of war is more difficult to defeat than those which strike the
human organism, because it does not come from the outside, but from within
the human heart, corrupted by sin (cf.Mark’s Gospel 7,17-23).
5. What, then, are we asked to do? First of all, to allow our hearts to be changed
by the emergency we have experienced, that is, to allow God to transform our
usual criteria for interpreting the world and reality through this historical
moment. We can no longer think only of preserving the space of our personal or
national interests, but we must think of ourselves in the light of the common
good, with a sense of community, or as a “we” open to universal fraternity. We
cannot only pursue the protection of ourselves, but it is time to commit
ourselves to the healing of our society and our planet, creating the foundations
for a more just and peaceful world, seriously committed to the search for a good
that is truly common.
To do this and live better after the Covid-19 emergency, one fundamental fact
cannot be ignored: the many moral, social, political and economic crises we are
experiencing are all interconnected, and what we look at as individual problems
are in reality one is the cause or consequence of the other. And so, we are called
to face the challenges of our world with responsibility and compassion. We need
to revisit ensuring public health for all; promote peace actions to put an end to
conflicts and wars that continue to generate victims and poverty; take concerted
care of our common home and implement clear and effective measures to tackle
climate change; fight the virus of inequality and guarantee food and decent work
for all, supporting those who do not even have a minimum wage and are in great
difficulty. The scandal of hungry peoples hurts us. We need to develop, with
adequate policies, reception and integration, especially towards migrants and
those who live as discarded in our societies. Only by spending ourselves in these
situations, with an altruistic desire inspired by God’s infinite and merciful love,
will we be able to build a new world and contribute to building up the Kingdom of
God, which is the Kingdom of love, justice and peace.
In sharing these reflections, I hope that in the new year we can walk together
treasuring what history can teach us. My best marks to the Heads of State and
Government, to the Heads of International Organizations, aiLeaders of the
different religions. I wish all men and women of good will to build day by day, as
artisans of peace, a Happy New Year! Mary Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and
Queen of Peace, intercede for us and for the whole world.

From the Vatican, 8 December 2022

Archive

01 Jan MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS FOR THE LVI WORLD DAY OF PEACE

Posted at 11:10h in by

«As regards the times and the moments, brothers, you don’t need me to write to
you; for you well know that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”
(First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5,1-2).
1. With these words, the Apostle Paul invited the community of Thessalonica to
remain steadfast, with their feet and heart firmly planted on the earth, capable
of an attentive gaze on reality and on the events of history. Therefore, even if
the events of our existence appear so tragic and we feel pushed into the dark
and difficult tunnel of injustice and suffering, we are called to keep our hearts
open to hope, trusting in God who becomes present, accompanies us with
tenderness , supports us in our efforts and, above all, directs our path. For this
reason, St. Paul constantly exhorts the community to be vigilant, seeking
goodness, justice and truth: “Let us not sleep like the others, but let us be
vigilant and sober” (5:6). It is an invitation to stay awake, not to lock ourselves
up in fear, pain or resignation, not to give in to distraction, not to be discouraged
but instead to be like sentinels capable of staying awake and seizing the first
light of dawn, especially in the darker.
2. Covid-19 has plunged us into the middle of the night, destabilizing our
ordinary life, turning our plans and habits upside down, overturning the apparent
tranquility of even the most privileged societies, generating disorientation and
suffering, causing death of so many of our brothers and sisters.
Pushed into the whirlwind of sudden challenges and into a situation that was not
entirely clear even from a scientific point of view, the world of health has
mobilized to soothe the pain of many and to try to remedy it; as well as the
political authorities, who had to adopt considerable measures in terms of
organization and management of the emergency.
Together with the physical manifestations, Covid-19 has caused, even with
long-term effects, a general malaise that has concentrated in the hearts of many
people and families, with not negligible implications, fueled by long periods of
isolation and various limitations of freedom.
Furthermore, we cannot forget how the pandemic has touched some raw nerves
in the social and economic order, bringing out contradictions and inequalities. It
has threatened the job security of many and aggravated the increasingly
widespread loneliness in our societies, especially that of the weakest and of the
poor. We think, for example, of the millions of informal workers in many parts of
the world, left without work and without any support throughout the
confinement period.
Rarely do individuals and society progress in situations that generate such a
sense of defeat and bitterness: in fact, it weakens the efforts spent for peace
and causes social conflicts, frustrations and violence of various kinds. In this
sense, the pandemic seems to have upset even the most peaceful areas of our
world, bringing out countless fragilities.
3. After three years, it’s time to take some time to question ourselves, learn,
grow and allow ourselves to be transformed, as individuals and as a community;
a privileged time to prepare for the “day of the Lord”. I have already had the
opportunity to repeat several times that moments of crisis never come out the
same: one comes out either better or worse. Today we are called to ask
ourselves: what have we learned from this pandemic situation? What new paths
will we have to take to abandon the chains of our old habits, to be better
prepared, to dare to be new? What signs of life and hope can we grasp to move
forward and try to make our world better?
Certainly, having experienced first-hand the fragility that distinguishes human
reality and our personal existence, we can say that the greatest lesson that
Covid-19 leaves us as a legacy is the awareness that we all need each other, that
the our greatest treasure, albeit even more fragile, is human brotherhood,
founded on the common divine sonship, and that no one can save himself alone.
It is therefore urgent to seek and promote together the universal values which
trace the path of this human brotherhood. We have also learned that the trust
placed in progress, technology and the effects of globalization has not only been
excessive, but has turned into an individualistic and idolatrous intoxication,
undermining the desired guarantee of justice, concord and peace. In our
fast-paced world, very often the widespread problems of imbalances, injustices,
poverty and marginalization fuel ills and conflicts, and generate violence and
even wars.
While, on the one hand, the pandemic has brought out all of this, we have been
able, on the other, to make positive discoveries: a beneficial return to humility; a
downsizing of certain consumerist claims; a renewed sense of solidarity that
encourages us to get out of our selfishness to open ourselves to the suffering of
others and their needs; as well as a commitment, in some cases truly heroic, of
many people who have spent themselves so that everyone could better
overcome the drama of the emergency.
From this experience came the stronger awareness that invites everyone,
peoples and nations, to put the word “together” back at the center. Indeed, it is
together, in fraternity and solidarity, that we build peace, guarantee justice,
overcome the most painful events. The most effective responses to the
pandemic have in fact been those that have seen social groups, public and
private institutions, international organizations united to respond to the
challenge, leaving aside particular interests. Only the peace that comes from
fraternal and selfless love can help us overcome personal, social and global
crises.
4. At the same time, when we dared to hope that the worst of the night of the
Covid-19 pandemic had been overcome, a new terrible disaster fell upon
humanity. We have witnessed the emergence of another scourge: another war,
in part comparable to Covid-19, but nevertheless driven by guilty human
choices. The war in Ukraine reaps innocent victims and spreads uncertainty, not
only for those directly affected by it, but in a widespread and indiscriminate way
for everyone, even for those who, thousands of kilometers away, suffer its
collateral effects – just think of the grain problems and fuel prices.
Certainly, this is not the post-Covid era we hoped or expected. In fact, this war,
together with all the other conflicts around the globe, represents a defeat for all
of humanity and not just for the parties directly involved. While a vaccine has
been found for Covid-19, adequate solutions have not yet been found for war.
Certainly the virus of war is more difficult to defeat than those which strike the
human organism, because it does not come from the outside, but from within
the human heart, corrupted by sin (cf.Mark’s Gospel 7,17-23).
5. What, then, are we asked to do? First of all, to allow our hearts to be changed
by the emergency we have experienced, that is, to allow God to transform our
usual criteria for interpreting the world and reality through this historical
moment. We can no longer think only of preserving the space of our personal or
national interests, but we must think of ourselves in the light of the common
good, with a sense of community, or as a “we” open to universal fraternity. We
cannot only pursue the protection of ourselves, but it is time to commit
ourselves to the healing of our society and our planet, creating the foundations
for a more just and peaceful world, seriously committed to the search for a good
that is truly common.
To do this and live better after the Covid-19 emergency, one fundamental fact
cannot be ignored: the many moral, social, political and economic crises we are
experiencing are all interconnected, and what we look at as individual problems
are in reality one is the cause or consequence of the other. And so, we are called
to face the challenges of our world with responsibility and compassion. We need
to revisit ensuring public health for all; promote peace actions to put an end to
conflicts and wars that continue to generate victims and poverty; take concerted
care of our common home and implement clear and effective measures to tackle
climate change; fight the virus of inequality and guarantee food and decent work
for all, supporting those who do not even have a minimum wage and are in great
difficulty. The scandal of hungry peoples hurts us. We need to develop, with
adequate policies, reception and integration, especially towards migrants and
those who live as discarded in our societies. Only by spending ourselves in these
situations, with an altruistic desire inspired by God’s infinite and merciful love,
will we be able to build a new world and contribute to building up the Kingdom of
God, which is the Kingdom of love, justice and peace.
In sharing these reflections, I hope that in the new year we can walk together
treasuring what history can teach us. My best marks to the Heads of State and
Government, to the Heads of International Organizations, aiLeaders of the
different religions. I wish all men and women of good will to build day by day, as
artisans of peace, a Happy New Year! Mary Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and
Queen of Peace, intercede for us and for the whole world.
From the Vatican, 8 December 2022

Archive

19 Dec SPEECH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DELEGATE OF ITALIAN GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR (CGIL)

Posted at 13:36h in by

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I welcome you and thank the Secretary General for his words. This meeting with
you, who form one of the historic Italian trade union organisations, invites me to
once again express my closeness to the world of work, especially to the people and
families who are struggling the most.
There is no union without workers and there are no free workers without a union.
We live in an age which, despite technological progress – and sometimes precisely
because of that perverse system which calls itself technocracy (cf. Laudato si’,
106-114) – has partially disappointed the expectations of justice in the workplace.
And this requires above all to start afresh from the value of work, as a meeting
place between personal vocation and the social dimension. Working allows the
person to realize himself, to experience fraternity, to cultivate social friendship and
to improve the world. The encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli tutti can help to
undertake training courses that offer reasons for commitment in the times we are
living.
Work builds society. It is a primary experience of citizenship, in which a community
of destiny takes shape, the fruit of everyone’s commitment and talents; this
community is much more than the sum of the different professions, because
everyone recognizes himself in the relationship with others and for others. And so,
in the ordinary fabric of connections between people and economic and political
projects, the fabric of “democracy” is given life day by day. It is a fabric that is not
made at the table in some building, but with creative industriousness in factories,
workshops, agricultural, commercial, artisan companies, construction sites, public
administrations, schools, offices, and so on. It comes “from below”, from reality.
Dear friends, if I recall this vision, it is because one of the tasks of the union is that
of educating in the sense of work, promoting fraternity among the workers. This
formative concern cannot be omitted. It is the salt of a healthy economy, capable of
making the world better. Indeed, «human costs are always also economic costs and
economic dysfunctions always involve human costs as well. Giving up investing in
people to obtain a greater immediate profit is a bad deal for society” (Encyclical
Laudato si’, 128).
Alongside training, it is always necessary to point out the distortions of work. The
culture of waste has crept into the folds of economic relations and has also invaded
the world of work. This can be seen, for example, where human dignity is trampled
on by gender discrimination – why should a woman earn less than a man? Why
does a woman, as soon as it is seen that she begins to “get fat”, send her away so
as not to pay maternity leave? –; you can see it in youth precariousness – why
should life choices be delayed due to chronic precariousness? –; or again in the
culture of redundancy; and why are the most strenuous jobs still so poorly
protected? Too many people suffer from lack of work or undignified work: their
faces deserve to be listened to, they deserve union commitment.
I would especially like to share a few concerns with you. First, the safety of
workers. Your Secretary General mentioned it. There are still too many dead – I see
them in the newspapers: there are someone every day – too many mutilated and
injured in the workplace! Every death at work is a defeat for the whole of society.
Rather than counting them at the end of each year, we should remember their
names, because they are people and not numbers. Let’s not allow profit and the
person to be put on the same level! The idolatry of money tends to trample
everyone and everything and does not preserve differences. It is about training to
take the lives of employees at heart and educating yourself to take safety
regulations seriously: only a wise alliance can prevent those “accidents” which are
tragedies for families and communities.
A second concern is the exploitation of people as if they were performance
machines. There are forms of violence, such as illegal hiring and the slavery of
laborers in agriculture or on construction sites and in other workplaces, the
constraint to exhausting shifts, the underhanded game in contracts, contempt for
motherhood, the conflict between work and family . How many contradictions and
how many wars between the poor are consumed around work! In recent years
there has been an increase in the so-called “working poor”: people who, despite
having a job, are unable to support their families and give hope for the future. The
union – listen carefully to this – is called to be the voice of those who have no voice.
You have to make noise to give voice to the voiceless. In particular, I recommend
that you pay attention to young people, who are often forced into precarious,
inadequate, even enslaving contracts. I thank you for every initiative that promotes
active labor policies and protects people’s dignity.
Furthermore, in these years of the pandemic, the number of those who resign from
work has grown. Young and old are dissatisfied with their profession, with the
atmosphere in the workplace, with the forms of contract, and prefer to resign. They
look for other opportunities. This phenomenon does not mean disengagement, but
the need to humanise work. Also in this case, the trade union can carry out
prevention work, aiming at the quality of the work and accompanying people
towards a relocation more suited to each one’s talent.
Dear friends, I invite you to be “sentinels” of the world of work, generating alliances
and not sterile oppositions. People thirst for peace, especially in this historical
moment, and everyone’s contribution is fundamental. Educating for peace even in
workplaces, often marked by conflicts, can become a sign of hope for everyone.
Even for future generations.
Thank you for what you do and will do for the poor, migrants, fragile and disabled
people, the unemployed. Don’t forget to take care of those who don’t join the union
because they have lost confidence; and to make room for youthful responsibility.
I entrust you to the protection of Saint Joseph, who knew the beauty and the effort
of doing one’s job well and the satisfaction of earning bread for the family. Let’s
look at him and at his ability to educate through work. I wish a peaceful Christmas
to all of you and your loved ones. The Lord blesses you and Our Lady keep you. And
if you can, pray for me. Thank you!

Archive

17 Dec GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE ARTISTS OF THE CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2022

Posted at 13:34h in by

Dear friends, good morning and welcome, and thank you so much for the good
wishes you have given me, thank you!
Thank you for having chosen to dedicate this edition of the Christmas Concert to
the theme of peace. Peace is the synthesis of all the good things we can desire and
it is worth spending the best of our material, intellectual and spiritual energies for
it.
Peace, we know, is built day by day, it is a desire that accompanies and motivates
our daily life. But unfortunately, in this historical moment, peace is also an
emergency, as the slogan that promotes the solidarity project combined with the
concert says. In Ukraine, the Salesians of “Missioni Don Bosco” are close to the
populations, they work for the reception of refugees and for the distribution of food
and medicines. With this initiative we want to support them; but all of us, in
whatever role, are called to be peacemakers, to pray and work for peace.
The participation of so many artists in this project testifies to their willingness to
participate in solidarity with brothers and sisters who suffer from war, and whom
Christmas invites us to feel closer to. In fact, the message that the Word of God
addresses to us every year during Advent is not a message of resignation or
sadness, but a message of hope and joy, a message to be internalized and
communicated. And in this “communication” music and singing also come into play.
The liturgy and popular traditions of Christmas are full of music and songs. The
same Gospel account speaks to us of the hymn of the angels: “Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace to men whom he loves” (Lk 2:14).
With your song, you contribute to spreading this message of love and life, touching
so many hearts and widening the perimeter of fraternity. This is how God works in
human history, even in painful and desolate scenarios: with mercy he calls all of us,
he uses our talents as well as our limitations, and he wants to save today’s
humanity. Like at Christmas, every day!
Dear friends, your talent is a gift and it is also a responsibility, of which to be
grateful and aware, while – as Saint John Paul II wrote to artists – «with passionate

dedication seek new epiphanies of beauty to give it to the world» (Letter to artists,
April 4, 1999). Music soothes, disposes to dialogue, favors encounter and
friendship. In this sense it is an open road to peace.
Thank you for coming. Best wishes to you and your loved ones. I give you my
heartfelt blessing and ask God to bless you. And please don’t forget to pray for me.
Thank you!

Archive

01 Dec MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE EIGHTH CONFERENCE “ROME MED DIALOGUES”

Posted at 13:29h in by

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen!
A cordial greeting to all of you on the occasion of the VIII Rome MED Dialogues
Conference, which for several years has been an appointment promoted by the
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and by the Institute
for International Political Studies, in order to promote shared policies in the
Mediterranean area.
The method of this Conference is significant and important in itself, namely the
commitment to dialogue, discussion, common reflection, the search for solutions or
even just coordinated approaches towards those that are – and can only be – the
common interests of the peoples who, in the diversity of their respective cultures,
overlook the mare nostrum. A sea which, in its history as a medium terrarum, has a
vocation for progress, development and culture which unfortunately seems to have
lost in the recent past and which needs to be recovered fully and with conviction.
In fact, the Mediterranean has the great potential of bringing three continents into
contact: a link which historically, also through migration, has been extremely
fruitful. Africa, Asia and Europe border on it, but too often we forget that the lines
that delimit are also those that connect, and that the ambivalence of the term
“border” can also allude to a common goal: cum-finis. This is an aspect of which the
civilizations that preceded us and of which the Mediterranean was the cradle were
well aware. With regret we have to note that this same sea, today, finds it hard to
be experienced as a place for meeting, exchange, sharing and collaboration. Yet, at
the same time, it is precisely at this crossroads of humanity that many
opportunities await us. We must therefore resume the culture of encounter from
which we have benefited so much, and not just in the past. In this way it will be
possible to rebuild a sense of fraternity, developing, in addition to more just
economic relations, also more human relations, including those with migrants.
This Conference has the advantage of relaunching the centrality of the
Mediterranean, through discussions on an agenda particularly rich in topics, which
range from geo-political and security issues, to the protection of fundamental

human freedoms, to the challenge of migration, to the climate and environmental
crisis.
The importance and multiplicity of the topics submitted to your reflection calls for a
fundamental consideration. This variety is itself already significant of how
ethical-social themes cannot be separated from the multiple situations of
geopolitical crisis and also from the environmental problems themselves. The idea
of tackling individual issues in a sectoral way, separately and regardless of the
others is, in this sense, a misleading thought. In fact, it involves the risk of arriving
at partial, defective solutions, which not only do not solve the problems but make
them chronic.
I am thinking in particular of the inability to find common solutions to human
mobility in the region, which continues to lead to an unacceptable and almost
always avoidable loss of human life, especially in the Mediterranean. Migration is
essential to the well-being of this area and cannot be stopped. Therefore, it is in the
interest of all parties to find a solution that is inclusive of the various aspects and
the right instances, which is beneficial to all, which guarantees both human dignity
and shared prosperity.
The interconnection of the problems requires that they be examined together, in a
coordinated and broadest possible vision, as emerged overwhelmingly already
during the pandemic crisis, another clear confirmation that no one is saved alone.
This globalization of problems reappears today with regard to the dramatic war
conflict underway within Europe, between Russia and Ukraine, from which, in
addition to the incalculable damages of each war in terms of civilian and military
victims, the energy crisis , the financial crisis, the humanitarian crisis for so many
innocent people forced to leave their homes and lose their dearest possessions and,
finally, the food crisis, which affects a growing number of people all over the world,
especially in the poorest countries. The Ukrainian conflict is in fact producing
enormous repercussions in North African countries, which depend for 80% on wheat
from Ukraine or Russia. This crisis urges us to consider the totality of the real
situation from a global perspective, just as its effects are global. Therefore, just as
it is not possible to think of tackling the energy crisis apart from the political one,
one cannot at the same time resolve the food crisis apart from the persistence of
conflicts, or the climate crisis without taking into consideration the migration
problem, or the to the most fragile economies or even the protection of
fundamental freedoms. Nor can it be taken into consideration detract from the
vastness of human suffering without taking into account the social crisis, in which,
for economic or political gain, the value of the human person is diminished and
human rights are trampled underfoot.

All of us must become increasingly aware that the cry of our battered planet is
inseparable from the cry of suffering humanity. In this regard, the words dictated
about two thousand years ago by Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans resonate
as timely as ever, where he presents the common destiny of humanity and creation,
which – says the Apostle – nurtures the hope of being freed from the slavery of
corruption, to enter into the freedom of the glory of the children of God, in view of
which all creation groans and suffers in birth pangs to this day (see 8:21-22).
This is not only an otherworldly goal, but also the horizon of the commitment of
men and women of good will. May it also be the horizon of your dialogues! With this
wish I wish you a serene and fruitful work, assuring my prayers for this and
invoking God’s blessing upon all of you.

Archive

28 Nov ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING FOR THE EDUCATION OF PEACE AND CARING

Posted at 13:27h in by

Dear boys and girls, dear teachers, good morning and welcome!
I am glad that you responded enthusiastically to the invitation of the National
Network of Schools for Peace. Thank you for coming! And thank you to all those
who organized this meeting, especially Dr. Lotti.
I congratulate you, students, and your educators on the rich programme of
activities and training you have undertaken, which will culminate with the
Perugia-Assisi March in May next year, where you will have the opportunity to
present the results of your work and your proposals.
Assisi has now become a world centre for the promotion of peace, thanks to the
charismatic figure of that carefree and rebellious young man from Assisi named
Francis, who left his family and riches to follow the Lord and to marry Madonna
poverty. That young dreamer is still a source of inspiration today for all that relates
to peace, brotherhood, love for the poor, ecology and economics. Throughout the
centuries, Saint Francis has fascinated many people, just as he has fascinated me
too, who as Pope chose to take his name.
Your educational programme “For Peace, with Care” is intended as a response to
the call for a Global Educational Covenant, which I addressed three years ago to all
those who work in the field of education, to appeal to them to promote “the values
of care for others, peace, justice, goodness, beauty, acceptance and fraternity”
(Video Message of 15 October 2020). And I am happy to see that not only schools,
universities and Catholic organizations are responding to this call, but also public,
secular and other religious institutions.
For there to be peace, as your motto so aptly puts it, one must “care”. We often talk
about peace when we feel directly threatened, as in the case of a possible nuclear
attack or a war being waged on our doorstep. Just as we take an interest in the
rights of migrants when we have some relative or friend who has emigrated. In
reality, peace always concerns us, always! Just as the other, our brother and sister,
always concern us, and we must take care of him or her.
A quintessential model of caring is that Samaritan of the Gospel, who rescued a
stranger he found wounded along the road. The Samaritan did not know whether

the unfortunate man was a good person or a scoundrel, whether he was rich or
poor, educated or ignorant, a Jew, a Samaritan like himself or a foreigner; he did
not know whether he had “brought that misfortune on himself” or not. The Gospel
says: “When he saw him, he had compassion” (Lk 10:33). He saw him and had
compassion. Others before him had also seen the man, but had continued on their
way. The Samaritan did not ask himself so many questions, he followed the
movement of compassion.
In our time too, we can encounter valid witness of people or institutions who work
for peace and take care of those in need. Think, for example, of those who have
received the Nobel Peace Prize, but also of the many unknown people who work
silently for this cause.
Today I would like to recall two witnesses. The first is Saint John XXIII. He was
called the “good Pope”, and also the “Pope of peace”, because in those difficult
years of the early seventies, marked by strong tensions – the building of the Berlin
Wall, the crisis in Cuba, the Cold War and the nuclear threat – he published the
famous and prophetic Encyclical Pacem in terris. Next year will be its sixtieth
anniversary, and it is very timely! Pope John addressed all men of good will, calling
for the peaceful resolution of all wars through dialogue and disarmament. It was an
appeal that received a great deal of attention in the world, far beyond the Catholic
community, because it grasped a need of all humanity, which still exists today. This
is why I invite you to read and study Pacem in terris, and to follow this path to
defend and spread peace.
A few months after the publication of that Encyclical, another prophet of our time,
Martin Luther King, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1964, delivered the historic speech
in which he said: “I have a dream”. In an American context strongly marked by
racial discrimination, he had made everyone dream with the idea of a world of
justice, freedom and equality. He said: “I have a dream: that my four little children
will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their
skin, but by the content of their character”. […]