Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV issued a plea today at the Angelus before the faithful and pilgrims in Castel Gandolfo.
“I renew my appeal for an end to the ongoing violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,” the pontiff said regarding the increasingly troubling situations caused by Israeli settlers in places like the town of Taybeh.
“I urgently call on the international community to work toward advancing the two-state solution, for a just and lasting peace,” Leo said regarding Israel and Palestine.
Before the prayer, speaking about the Gospel passage dedicated to the Canaanite woman who insistently asks Jesus to heal her daughter (Mt 15:21-28), Leo focused on the person of this foreign woman who, despite having never met Jesus, follows him “like a disciple who already had a bond with Him."
“They had probably never met before,” the pontiff explained, “yet in a mysterious way, faith had already taken root in her.” For this reason, Jesus himself, after initially resisting her requests, fulfils “his mission by allowing himself to be moved by what he sees and hears.”
“Even today,”, Leo added, “the Church can be surprised by God’s work and spread the peace of Christ beyond boundaries already drawn.”
Indeed, “Her mission is anticipated by divine grace, which works in the depths of our consciences, so that in every encounter – even those that disrupt our plans – we are to listen attentively by opening our eyes and hearts to what God wants to tell us.”
For the pope, the Canaanite woman offers a lesson in humility and determination.
“Thanks to her faith, we learn that God’s table is set for everyone and that no one is left merely with crumbs,” he said, “because each person has his or her own place with the Father. In the light of this faith, inequalities, discrimination and barriers that trample on the dignity of too many of God’s sons and daughters become unbearable.”
In his greetings to the pilgrims, the pontiff addressed a special thought to the Mediterranean Games, which will see athletes from Europe, Africa, and Asia compete near this great sea in the coming days in Taranto.
“I hope,” he said, “this sporting event will be a sign of peace and friendship among the peoples of this region and the entire world.”
