HOW HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS SAYS PEACE IS POSSIBLE, WORLD DAY OF THE POOR, LISTENING IS KEY ... (1313 hits)
For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
Pope Francis: Peace is possible, never resign yourselves to war!
Pope Francis renews his call for peace as he calls for prayers for people suffering in Myanmar, Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and he highlights the fact that the only ones who gain from war are the manufacturers of weapons.
By Linda Bordoni
“Peace is possible. It takes goodwill,” said Pope Francis on Sunday and he implored men and women of goodwill never to resign themselves to war.
“Peace is possible. Let us not resign ourselves to war.”
Reiterating his belief, already voiced on many occasions, and repeating the word "always" three times, the Holy Father cried: “War always, always, always is a defeat,” and he noted the only ones who gain from conflict are those who manufacture weapons.
“War always, always, always is a defeat. Only the weapons manufacturers gain.”
The Pope’s urgent appeal came as he addressed the faithful after the recitation of the Angelus Prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
Myanmar Shining the spotlight on Myanmar where an escalation of hostilities between the country’s military junta and ethnic minority armed group, the Arakan Army, have spread to various townships where civilians have been caught in the crossfire, the Pope said “I renew my closeness to the dear people of Myanmar who unfortunately continue to suffer from violence and suppression. I pray that they will not be discouraged and always trust in the Lord's help.”
“I renew my closeness to the dear people of Myanmar who unfortunately continue to suffer from violence and suppression.”
Ukraine, Palestine, Israel Never neglecting to remember those suffering from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and in the war between Israel and Hamas, the Pope asked for prayers “for the tormented Ukraine and for the people of Palestine and Israel.
“Let us continue to pray for the tormented Ukraine, and for the people of Palestine and Israel.”
World Day of the Poor: A message of solidarity and hope
The World Day of the Poor celebrated annually on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, is an invitation to individuals and institutions to look to those in need with respect, through initiatives and global support. By Francesca Merlo
“Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor”. The theme for this year’s World Day of the Poor invites us to take responsibility for those who are in search of dignity. The World Day of the Poor observance was initiated in 2017 by Pope Francis and has been celebrated annually on the third Sunday in November ever since. Marking the day, a series of initiatives aim to help heal some of the wounds poor people suffer from.
Free medical assistance
One of these is difficulty in accessing healthcare. In Rome, in the week preceding the World Day, the Mother of Mercy Outpatient Clinic, a mobile clinic located at the Colonnade of St. Peter's Square offers free medical assistance and is a beacon of hope for the city's homeless persons and for families and individuals in need. It counts over 50 medical staff and personnel who offer medical visits, write up prescriptions and provide free pharmaceuticals to those who cannot afford them.
Holy Mass and Lunch with the Pope
Customary to this day is Holy Mass in St Peter's Basilica presided over by Pope Francis with poor people assisted by charitable organizations from across Italy. Then, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father joins a group of poor people and refugees for a lunch organised by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
Listen to the poor
In his Message for this year’s World Day of the Poor, released on 13 June, the Holy Father stressed that “We are living in times that are not particularly sensitive to the needs of the poor. The pressure to adopt an affluent lifestyle increases, while the voices of those dwelling in poverty tend to go unheard”.
Sant'Egidio Amongst those listening to the cry of the poor is the community of Sant’Egidio, which works tirelessly to assist those in need. Present throughout the world, the Rome-based community has organised initiatives to mark the day across the globe, wherever it is present: in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and in Latin America. These initiatives are also dedicated to the elderly, children who live on the streets, refugees and prisoners.
In a statement released prior to the day, Sant’Egidio writes that the day is an opportunity for everyone, everywhere to receive a message of solidarity and hope that invites everyone to a fresh start.
Pope: Listening and Awareness Key in Child Abuse Prevention
In a meeting with representatives of the Italian Church's Child Protection Services and Listening Centres, Pope Francis stresses the importance of listening to the victims of abuse and encouraging society to focus attention on this scourge. By Lisa Zengarini
Pope Francis has reiterated the Catholic Church's firm commitment to the protection of minors from s*xual abuse, saying that the entire Christian community should feel involved.
“This is not a negotiable matter”, he stated on Saturday morning, as he addressed participants in the first national meeting of diocesan and regional representatives of the Italian Church's Child Protection Services and Listening Centres. “We cannot stop in our action to protect minors and vulnerable people and, at the same time, to combat any form of abuse, whether s*xual, of power, or of conscience,” the Pope said.
The meeting, entitled “A Wounded Beauty. I will heal your wound and heal you of your wounds" (Jer 30:17), was organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
In his address, the Pope suggested three verbs as a guideline for action against child abuse.
To safeguard
The first verb was "to safeguard", that is to “actively share the pain of those who have been injured and ensure that the entire community is responsible for the protection of minors and those who are most vulnerable.”
The Pope noted that this path “requires internal and community renewal in justice and truth": “Those who safeguard know that ‘no silence or concealment can be accepted on the subject of abuse.’”
Safeguarding, he continued, is also preventing harm from happening through constant training activities, aimed at spreading awareness and attention for the protection of the most fragile. This should be a concern also for the wider society beyond the Church, the Pope warned, recalling that according to global statistics, between 42 and 46 per cent of abuse occurs within the family or in the neighbourhood, while many other cases are recorded in sports or schools.
To listen
The second verb Pope Francis proposed was "to listen" to the victims “as a step to increase a culture of prevention”. It is realized through forming the community, implementing procedures and good practices, vigilance and transparency that builds and renews trust.
“Only listening to the pain of the people who have suffered these terrible crimes opens up solidarity and pushes us to do everything possible to ensure that the abuse is not repeated”, the Pope noted.
“We are called to a moral reaction, to promote and bear witness to closeness towards those who have been hurt by abuse.”
To care
“Knowing how to listen is taking care of the victims”, said the Pope, remarking that it is only by following the path of caring and listening that healing is possible.
The “cure” is also doing justice to the victims. This is why, he said, it is so important to prosecute those who commit these crimes, especially within the Church.
Thanking the pastoral workers for their work supporting victims and survivors, Pope Francis encouraged them to continue their efforts also against online child pornography.
