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06 Jul ANGELUS

Posted at 23:14h in by

[…] This invitation of Jesus reaches to our day, and extends to the many brothers and sisters oppressed by life’s precarious conditions […]On the fringes of society so many men and women are tried by indigence, but also by dissatisfaction with life and by frustration. So many are forced to emigrate from their homeland, risking their lives. Many more, every day, carry the weight of an economic system that exploits human beings, imposing on them an unbearable “yoke”, which the few privileged do not want to bear. To each of these children of the Father in heaven, Jesus repeats: “Come to me, all of you”. But he also says it to those who have everything, but whose heart is empty and without God. Even to them, Jesus addresses this invitation: “Come to me”. Jesus’ invitation is for everyone. But especially for those who suffer the most.[…]

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26 Jun ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO MEMBERS OF THE REUNION OF AID AGENCIES FOR THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES (R.O.A.C.O.)

Posted at 23:10h in by

[…] In a special way, I join you in telling our brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq, their bishops and priests, that the Catholic Church is close to them. The Church is likewise close to our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land and the Middle East, but also to the beloved people of Ukraine in the critical situation in which they find themselves, and to the people of Romania. This closeness and concern is expressed in the works which your agencies carry out. I urge you to continue your generous efforts to help them. Your works of relief and assistance in nations most affected by these crises respond to basic needs, particularly of those who are powerless and most vulnerable, as well as the many young people tempted to leave their homeland. And since communities of Eastern Christians are present worldwide, you are working everywhere to bring relief to the displaced and to refugees, restoring their dignity and their security in full respect for their identity and religious freedom. […]

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23 Jun MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF AGRIGENTO ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE VISIT TO LAMPEDUSA

Posted at 23:05h in by

The anniversary of my visit to the Island of Lampedusa evokes in my heart feelings of gratitude to the Lord for having been given the opportunity to go to that corner of Sicily to pray for the all too many victims of tragedies at sea; to carry out an act of closeness to the immigrants seeking a better life and to reinvigorate the attention being given to their tragedy; to express gratitude to the residents of Lampedusa and Linosa occupied in the commendable work of solidarity, supported by associations, volunteers and the security forces. The spiritual and emotional presence of all Italian Catholic communities together with the Church of Agrigento, was perceived in that encounter so fraught with meaning. At various levels and in a multitude of forms that presence plays an active part in the reception of immigrants.

One year later the problem of immigration is worsening and more tragedies are unfortunately following each other in persistent succession. It is difficult for our heart to accept the death of these, our brothers and sisters, who faced grueling voyages to escape from tragedies, poverty, wars, conflicts, often in connection with international politics. I return once more in spirit to that spot in the Mediterranean to weep with so many grieving and to cast flowers of the prayer of suffrage for the women, men and children who are victims of this seemingly endless tragedy. It demands to be faced not with the logic of indifference but with the logic of hospitality and sharing, in order to protect and promote the dignity and centrality of every human being.

I encourage the Christian communities and every person of goodwill to continue to bend down and lend a helping hand to all those who are in need, without counting the cost, without fear, with tenderness and understanding. At the same time, I hope that the competent Institutions, especially at the European level, will be more courageous and generous in aiding refugees. […]

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18 Jun POPE FRANCIS: GENERAL AUDIENCE

Posted at 22:51h in by

[…] The day after tomorrow, 20 June, will be the World Day for Refugees, which the international community devotes to those who are forced to leave their country in order to flee conflicts and persecutions. The number of these brother refugees is growing and, in these last days, thousands more have been made to leave their homes in order to save themselves. Millions of families, millions, refugees from many countries and of every religious faith are experiencing in their stories the dramas and wounds that can only with difficulty be healed. Let us make ourselves their neighbours, sharing their fears and their uncertainty and concretely alleviating their suffering. May the Lord sustain the people and institutions that are working with generosity to ensure refugees acceptance and dignity, and to give them reasons to hope. Let us think of how Jesus was a refugee, he had to flee for his life to be saved, with St Joseph and Our Lady, he had to go away to Egypt. He was a refugee. Let us pray to Our Lady, for the pain of refugees, that she be close to these of our brothers and sisters. Let us pray together to Our Lady for our refugee brothers and sisters. [Hail Mary] Mary, mother of refugees, pray for us.[…]

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16 Jun ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO HIS GRACE JUSTIN WELBY, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND HIS ENTOURAGE

Posted at 19:54h in by

[…] At our first meeting, Your Grace and I discussed our shared concerns and our pain before a number of grave evils afflicting our human family. In particular, we shared our horror in the face of the scourge of human trafficking and forms of modern-day slavery. I thank you for the leadership you have shown in opposing these intolerable crimes against human dignity.

In attempting to respond to this urgent need, notable collaborative efforts have been initiated on the ecumenical level and in cooperation with civil authorities and international organizations. Many charitable initiatives have been undertaken by our communities, and they are operating with generosity and courage in various parts of the world. I think in particular of the action network against the trafficking in women set up by a number of women’s religious institutes. Let us persevere in our commitment to combat new forms of enslavement, in the hope that we can help provide relief to victims and oppose this deplorable trade. I thank God that, as disciples sent to heal a wounded world, we stand together, with perseverance and determination, in opposing this grave evil.

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15 Jun ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE SANT’EGIDIO COMMUNITY

Posted at 19:53h in by

[…] Changes in society begin with the poor and the elderly. As Jesus said: “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner” (Mt 21:42). Likewise, the poor are in some ways this “cornerstone” for building a community. Today, unfortunately, the speculative economy makes the poor ever poorer, depriving them of the essentials, such as housing and employment. This is unacceptable! Those who live solidarity don’t accept it and they take action. And this word, “solidarity”, many people want to eliminate it from the dictionary, because some cultures see it as a bad word. No! Solidarity is a Christian word! And this is why you are the family of the homeless, friends of disabled persons, who — when loved — express great humanity. I also see here many “new Europeans”, immigrants who arrived after agonizing and dangerous journeys. The Community welcomes them attentively and demonstrates that a foreigner is one of our brothers to recognize and to help. And this rejuvenates us. […]

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14 Jun ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF THE “MISERICORDIE” OF ITALY ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II ON 14 JUNE 1986

Posted at 19:50h in by

[…] The “Misericordie”, an age-old expression of the Catholic laity firmly rooted in the Italian territory, are committed to witness the Gospel of charity among people who are sick, elderly, disabled, among minors, immigrants and the poor. All of your service derives meaning and form from this word: “misericordia” [mercy], a Latin word whose etymological meaning is “miseris cor dare”, to “give the heart to the wretched”, those in need, those who are suffering. […]

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11 Jun POPE FRANCIS: GENERAL AUDIENCE

Posted at 18:40h in by

[…]do you think a corrupt person will be happy on the other side? No, all the fruit of his corruption has corrupted his heart and it will be difficult for him to go to the Lord. I am thinking of those who live off human trafficking or slave labour; do you think these people who traffic persons, who exploit people through slave labour have love for God in their hearts? No, they haven’t fear of the Lord and they are not happy. They are not. I am thinking of those who manufacture weapons for fomenting wars; just think about what kind of job this is. I am certain that if I were to ask: how many of you manufacture weapons? No one, no one. These weapons manufacturers don’t come to hear the Word of God! These people manufacture death, they are merchants of death and they make death into a piece of merchandise. May fear of the Lord make them understand that one day all things will come to an end and they will have to give account to God […].

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02 Jun ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF ZIMBABWE ON THEIR “AD LIMINA” VISIT

Posted at 18:37h in by

[…] The Church in your country has stood fast with her people both before and after independence, now also in the years of overwhelming suffering as millions have left the country in frustration and desperation, as many lives have been lost, so many tears shed. In the exercise of your prophetic ministry, you gave dramatic voice to all the struggling people of your country, especially to the downtrodden and the refugees. I think particularly of your 2007 Pastoral Letter God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed: “The suffering people of Zimbabwe are groaning in agony: ‘Watchman, how much longer the night?’” There you showed how the crisis is both spiritual and moral, stretching from colonial times through the present moment, and how the “structures of sin” embedded in the social order are ultimately rooted in personal sin, requiring of all a profound personal conversion and a renewed moral sense enlightened by the Gospel.[…]

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30 May MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS TO CHARITY WORKERS IN SYRIA

Posted at 18:35h in by

[…] One year ago we were gathered to renew the Church’s commitment to this crisis and together to launch an appeal for peace in Syria. Now we meet again to assess the work that has been done and to renew our will to proceed on this path, with an even more rigorous collaboration. But we must look back with great sorrow that the Syrian crisis has not been resolved, but only worsened, and there is risk of getting used to it: of forgetting the daily victims, the unspeakable suffering, the thousands of refugees, among them the elderly and children, who are suffering and at times dying of hunger and disease caused by the war. This indifference is harmful! Yet again we must repeat the name of the disease that plagues us so much in the world today: the globalization of indifference.[…]