Pope: solidarity with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh

The first fruit of the Synod was "a synodal style that does not have as its main objective the drafting of a document, which is also valuable and useful. More than the document, however, it is important that a way of being and working together, young and old, in listening and discernment, to reach pastoral choices that respond to reality, is spreading ".

 


Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis  expressed "closeness" to the city of Pittsburgh and in particular to the Jewish community of the city, hit yesterday by an attack.

Following the Angelus prayer the Pope expressed "closeness to the city of Pittsburgh, in the United States of America, and in particular to the Jewish community, hit yesterday by a terrible attack in the synagogue. May the Most High welcome the dead in His peace, comfort their families and support the wounded. In reality, we are all wounded by this inhumane act of violence. May the Lord help us to extinguish the outbreaks of hatred that develop in our societies, strengthening the sense of humanity, respect for life, moral and civil values, and the holy fear of God, who is Love and Father of all ".

Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, speaking to the 10 thousand people present in St Peter's Square, in spite of the rain, Francis had spoken of the Synod assembly. "It was a time of consolation and hope, precisely through demanding and even tiring work. First of all it was a moment of listening: in fact, listening requires time, attention, openness of mind and heart. But this commitment was transformed every day into consolation, above all because we had among us the lively and stimulating presence of young people, with their stories and their contributions. Through the testimonies of the Synodal Fathers, the multifaceted reality of the new generations has entered the Synod, as it were, on all sides: from every continent and from many different human and social situations ".

"The fruits of this work are already 'fermenting', as does the grape juice in the barrels after the harvest. The Youth Synod was a good harvest, and promises good wine. But I would like to say that the first fruit of this Synodal Assembly should be precisely in the example of a method that we have tried to follow, right from the preparatory phase. A synodal style that does not have as its main objective the drafting of a document, which is also valuable and useful. More than the document, however, it is important that a way of being and working together, young and old, in listening and discernment, to reach pastoral choices that respond to reality, is spreading".