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21 Jun MEETING WITH THE WORLD OF LABOUR: ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER

Posted at 19:15h in by

[…] Work is not only necessary for the economy, but for the human person, for his dignity, for his citizenship, and also for his social inclusion. Turin has historically been a pole of attraction for employment, but today it is greatly affected by the crisis: there are not enough jobs, economic and social inequality have increased, so many people have become impoverished and have problems with their home, health, education and other basic requirements. Immigration increases competition, but immigrants should not be blamed, because they are victims of inequity, of this throw-away economy and of war. It brings one to tears seeing the recent spectacle, in which human beings are treated like merchandise. […]

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17 Jun POPE FRANCIS: GENERAL AUDIENCE

Posted at 19:12h in by

Special greetings:

 

[…] This coming Saturday is the World Day for Refugees, sponsored by the United Nations. Let us pray for the many brothers and sisters who seek refuge far from their land, who seek a home where they will be able to live without fear, that they might be ever respected in their dignity. I encourage the work of those who bring them aid and I wish for the international community to act unanimously and effectively to prevent the causes of forced emigration. And I invite all of you to ask forgiveness for the people and institutions who close the door to these people who seek a family, who seek protection.[…]

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12 Jun ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORLD SEMINAR FOR CATHOLIC CIVIL AVIATION CHAPLAINS SPONSORED BY THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF MIGRANTS AND ITINERANT PEOPLE

Posted at 19:11h in by

[…] The airport is a place of encounter for many people who travel for work, tourism or other reasons; Migrants and refugees, children and the elderly, people who are in need of healing and special attention pass through it. And then there are the people who work there every day, with their personal and professional lives. There is also an alarming number of passengers without documents — often refugees and asylum seekers — who are detained in airport premises for long or short periods, sometimes without adequate spiritual and human assistance. […]

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10 Jun POPE FRANCIS: GENERAL AUDIENCE

Posted at 19:10h in by

Special greetings:

 

[…] I address a warm welcome to Italian-speaking faithful. I greet … the Christian refugees from Ghana and Nigeria, guests of the Auxilium Cooperative of Potenza. I wish to everyone that the visit to the Tombs of the Apostles may give new impetus to faith and solidarity especially toward the most needy.[…]

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06 Jun HOLY MASS: HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER

Posted at 19:05h in by

[…] Some wish to incite and foment this atmosphere deliberately, mainly those who want conflict between different cultures and societies, and those who speculate on wars for the purpose of selling arms. But war means children, women and the elderly in refugee camps; it means forced displacement of peoples; it means destroyed houses, streets and factories; it means, above all, countless shattered lives. You know this well, having experienced it here: how much suffering, how much destruction, how much pain! Today, dear brothers and sisters, the cry of God’s people goes up once again from this city, the cry of all men and women of good will: war never again! […]

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06 Jun MEETING WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE: ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER

Posted at 19:03h in by

[…] I know the doubts and the hopes that you have in your hearts. Some of these have been expressed by Bishop Marko Semren and your representatives, Darko and Nadežda. In a special way, I join you in hoping that new generations may be offered real prospects for a dignified future in your country, thus avoiding the sad phenomenon of mass migration. In this regard, institutions are being called upon to put in place timely and courageous plans that will help young men and women to realize their legitimate aspirations; they will thus be able to contribute energetically to the upbuilding and growth of the country. The local Church, for her part, can contribute by means of suitable pastoral projects, focusing on educating the civic and moral conscience of the youth, and so help them to be protagonists in society. The Church’s commitment can already be seen, especially through the precious work of her Catholic schools, which are rightly open not only to Catholic students but to students of other Christian communities and other religions. However, the Church must always dare to hope for more, starting from the Gospel and driven by the Holy Spirit who transforms persons, society, and the Church herself. […]

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28 May ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ON THEIR “AD LIMINA” VISIT

Posted at 19:01h in by

[…] There is no place for indifferent pastors of the Church in the pastoral and charitable care of immigrants, especially those who come from neighbouring Haiti, in search of a better life in the Dominican territory. It is important to continue to cooperate with the civil authorities to find practical solutions to the problems of those who are without documents or deprived of the benefit of their fundamental rights. It is unacceptable not to support initiatives of fraternity and peace between the two nations that form this beautiful Caribbean Island. It is important to know how to integrate immigrants into society and to welcome them into the ecclesial community. I thank you for being close to them and to all those who are suffering, as a gesture of loving concern for brothers and sisters who feel lonely and abandoned, with whom Christ identified.

 

I am aware of your efforts and of your concern to appropriately address the serious problems that afflict your peoples, including the trafficking of drugs and people, corruption, domestic violence, the abuse and exploitation of minors, and social insecurity. On the basis of the close connection between evangelization and human advancement, every action of Mother Church must seek to uphold the good of the most needy. All that will be done in this regard will further the presence of the Kingdom of God brought by Jesus Christ, and at the same time will give credibility to the Church and importance to the voice of her pastors. […]

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24 May ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Posted at 19:00h in by

25. […] For example, changes in climate, to which animals and plants cannot adapt, lead them to migrate; this in turn affects the livelihood of the poor, who are then forced to leave their homes, with great uncertainty for their future and that of their children. There has been a tragic rise in the number of migrants seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by environmental degradation. They are not recognized by international conventions as refugees; they bear the loss of the lives they have left behind, without enjoying any legal protection whatsoever. Sadly, there is widespread indifference to such suffering, which is even now taking place throughout our world. Our lack of response to these tragedies involving our brothers and sisters points to the loss of that sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women upon which all civil society is founded.[…]

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23 May ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ITALIAN CHRISTIAN WORKERS’ ASSOCIATIONS (ACLI) WITH THEIR FAMILIES ON THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION

Posted at 18:59h in by

[…] I would like to touch briefly upon three more aspects — this speech is rather long, I’m sorry. The first: your presence outside Italy. It began in the wake of Italian immigration, even overseas, and it has a very current value. Today many young people move away to find a job appropriate to their studies or to have a different experience of professional life. I encourage you to welcome them, to support them on their path, and to offer your support for their integration. In their eyes you can find reflected the look of your parents or your grandparents who went far away in order to work. May you be a good point of reference for them. […]

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21 May ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ITALIAN POLICE FORCES

Posted at 18:57h in by

[…] Moreover, in these years the action of the Police has been decisive in managing the impact of the flow of displaced people who arrive in Italy seeking refuge from war and persecution. You are “on the front line” both in the initial reception of migrants and in opposing unscrupulous traffickers. […]