Russia

Before the Angelus prayer, Francis comments on the parable of the prodigal son: "Like the father in the Gospel, God also still thinks of His children when we are lost, and comes to us with tenderness when we return to Him. The errors we commit although great, do not even graze the fidelity of His love". The Pope also praises the memory for the four Missionaries of Charity killed in Yemen and makes an appeal to keep humanitarian corridors open for refugees. Today the spiritual exercises of the Pope and the Roman Curia begin.

Francis celebrated a penitential liturgy during which he was confessed and confessed some of the faithful. "How easy and misguided it is to believe that life depends on what we have, on our successes and on the approval we receive; to believe that the economy is only for profit and consumption; that personal desires are more important than social responsibility! When we only look to ourselves, we become blind, lifeless and self-centred, devoid of joy and true freedom.”

An “adequate and updated preparation” is need. In case absolution is not possible, one should “first of all look if there is a way. Many times, there is one. Secondly, one must not be tied only to the spoken word, but rather to the language of deeds. Thirdly, if one cannot give absolution, one must speak like a father: ‘Listen, I cannot do this for you, but I can assure you that God loves you, that God is waiting for you!"

In a meeting with the members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Francis said that there is a lot of scientific knowledge and many technical tools that can provide support to human life. Likewise, there are many institutions "engaged in service to life". However, he warned that "there also are many structures that are more concerned with economic interests than the common good” because they are “afraid of reality as God created it.”

Five poets read their poems, collected in a book titled ‘Before the eyes there is a bridge’. Proceeds go to the ‘Adopt a Christian from Mosul’ campaign. Fr Samir Youssef, who helps 3,500 refugee families, talks about the loneliness and hopes of Christians and Yazidis who fled the persecution of the Islamic State group.

The Lord is a father who does not even reject His "degenerate children". "When a person is sick they go to the doctor; when a person feels they are a sinner they go to the Lord. But if instead of going to the doctor, they go to a sorcerer they cannot be healed". When there is a "rejection of God", existence loses its roots, everything seems perverted and destroyed. "However, even this painful moment should be seen in light of Salvation." "You must approach God with purified hands, avoiding evil and practicing good and justice."

The "deadly war against Christianity" is almost over since Nietzsche's dreams are shaping and directing the governments of Christian (i.e. Western) nations and the United Nations. The West, with its deep Christian roots, considers itself free, secular, democratic, educated, sophisticated, and people-oriented; yet it has set out on a path, without realising it, that leads to nihilism, and the destruction of nature human and death.

"In the Our Father we pray: 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." It’s an equation, it goes together. If you are not able to forgive, how will God forgive you? He wants to forgive you, but will not if you have closed hearts, and mercy can not enter. "

The meeting took place 10 thousand kilometers distance from Moscow, perhaps to avoid the objections of the traditionalists. Kirill accused of being "nikodimico", too ecumenical. An "appeal to the Orthodox youth" claims that orthodoxy is being "sold out” to the Pope of Rome. Others say that Pope Francis is about to "convert" to Russian Orthodoxy. Urgent need for information and education.

"It would do us good to make a bit 'of time - today, tomorrow – and read the Beatitudes, read Matthew 25, and be careful about what happens in our heart: if there is something of disdain and ask the Lord for the grace to understand that the only way of salvation is the 'folly of the Cross', that is, the annihilation of the Son of God”.

During the Angelus, Francis called for negotiations to share evenly the burden front-line nations must bear in helping migrants. "God does not allow tragedies in order to punish faults", he does not “penalise” for some grave offence and the victims of some tragedies are not worse than others.

Human beings should be at the centre of each enterprise, ““not abstract, idealised, or theoretical human beings, but actual ones, with their dreams, needs, hopes and hard work,” making sure that “Work creates more work; responsibility creates more responsibilities; hope creates more hope, especially for the younger generation, who needs it more than ever."