Franco Pisano

A special celebration was held for those suffering. The shrine’s history is linked to the fate of a statue of the lost Virgin found in a Tamil Nadu forest.

“Concern for education is concern for future generations and for the future of humanity,” said Francis. “Education is not merely about transmitting concepts; it is an enterprise that demands cooperation on the part of all involved – the family, the school and social, cultural and religious institutions.”

"When we try to boost our visibility, in the Church, in our community, to have a position or something else, that is the way of the world, it is a worldly road, it is not the way of Jesus. And this temptation to be a climber can also happen to pastors”. “But if a shepherd does not follow this path, he is not a disciple of Jesus: he is a climber with a cassock. There is no humility without humiliation. "

Francis received CEOs and presidents of the most important trade fair and event organizers in the world. "International exhibitions contribute to the growth of a culture of encounter, which strengthens the bonds of solidarity and promotes mutual enrichment between members of the human family."

“There are those who have the kingdoms of this world: they have goods and they have comforts. But these are realms that end. The power of men, even the greatest empires, pass and disappear. " "Riches too: the old people taught us that the shroud have no pockets." “Whoever loves the true good more than himself truly reigns. This is the power of God. "

The story of King David who weeps over the death of his son “shows us God’s heart, what the Lord does with us when we move away from Him, what the Lord does when we destroy ourselves with sin, disoriented, lost.” Yet, “In the moment of temptation, in the moment of sin, in the moment in which we distance ourselves from God, let us try to listen to this voice: 'My son, my daughter, why?’”

Speaking in Abu Dhabi on the anniversary of the Document on Human Fraternity, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that “Religions cannot replace politics and do not aim to do so. However, they can inspire civic and political activities, and raise awareness to enhance social cohesion, the protection of creation, sustainable development and the establishment of a culture of fraternity.”

The ecclesial community must become a place of "intergenerational sharing" and seniors are “the present and the future of the Church.” “They are not only people whom we are called to assist and protect to guard their lives, but they can be actors in a pastoral evangelising ministry, privileged witnesses of God’s faithful love.”

Slowly one comes to think that "everything is allowed”. “May the Lord give us the grace to always send us a prophet; it can be the neighbour, a son, a mom, a dad, who slaps us a little when we are drifting into a state where everything seems permissible.”

In a context like today’s in which human life is only seen from the point of view of "efficiency", especially in case of incurable or terminally ill patients, the Church reasserts the values ​​of solidarity and fraternity. Pope praises “all the good things hospices do in terms of palliative care, with the terminally sick receiving quality medical, psychological and spiritual support, so that they may live the final phase of their earthly life in dignity, reassured by the closeness of people dear to them.”

“’With the measure with which one measures [others], one shall be measured’, the same measure. If it is a Christian measure, one that follows Jesus on his path, one shall be judged the same way, with a lot of empathy, a lot of compassion, a lot of mercy. But if my measure is worldly and I only use the Christian faith – doing the right thing, going to Mass, and yet living like a worldly person – I shall be measured with that measure.”

Francis began a cycle of catechesis, dedicated to the Beatitudes, which are a message for “all humanity". “God, to give himself to us, often chooses unthinkable paths, perhaps those of our limits, of our tears, of our defeats.”