“The future of humanity lies in respect and brotherhood among peoples”, warns Pope
Leo XIV at the Angelus: “Strategies of economic and military power offer no future”. Solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Nigeria: “Work to protect life”. On the Day Against Trafficking: “Peace begins with dignity”. In his commentary on the Gospel: “In the broken bread, life is given, love that makes no noise”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - “Let us continue to pray for peace”, said Leo XIV this morning after reciting the Angelus. ‘History teaches us that strategies of economic and military power do not give humanity a future.’
The Pope's appeal is addressed to all those listening: for the men and women of Earth, there is only a future by following paradigms that are far removed from the logic of weapons and competition. ‘The future lies in respect and brotherhood among peoples,’ he explained.
From the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Pope also shared his ‘pain and concern’ for the attacks in Nigeria, where violence and kidnappings are holding the northern regions hostage.
At least 51 people have been kidnapped and killed in recent days in the country where more Christians die than anywhere else in the world. Leo XIV expressed his ‘prayerful closeness’ to the victims of ‘terrorism’. ‘Work with determination to ensure security and the protection of life,’ he added, addressing the authorities.
Then, Prevost recalled today's memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), a nun of Sudanese origin canonised in 2000, who was a victim of slave traders. At the same time, the World Day of Prayer and Reflection Against Human Trafficking is being celebrated.
‘I thank the religious and all those who are committed to combating and eliminating the current forms of slavery. Together with them, I say: peace begins with dignity!’ said Pope Leo XIV.
In addition, the pontiff assured his prayers for the people of Portugal, Morocco, Spain - ‘especially Grazalema in Andalusia’ - and southern Italy - ‘especially Niscemi in Sicily’ - affected by floods and landslides. ‘I encourage communities to remain united and supportive, with the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary,’ he said after the Angelus.
In his commentary on the Gospel of the day (Mt 5:13-16). In Matthew's passage, Jesus, after announcing the Beatitudes, says: ‘You are the salt of the earth.’ And then: ‘You are the light of the world.’ The Pope said that it is ‘true joy that gives flavour to life and brings to light what was not there before.’ ‘This joy springs from a lifestyle, from a way of inhabiting the earth and living together that is desired and chosen. It is the life that shines in Jesus, the new flavour of his gestures and words,’ Prevost said.
Giving up joy, or ‘losing flavour,’ can be ‘painful.’ ‘Yet it is possible to have this wound in our hearts,’ said the Pope. "How many people - perhaps even we ourselves - feel discarded, wrong. It is as if their light has been hidden. Jesus, however, proclaims to us a God who will never throw us away.‘ Because ’every wound, even a deep one, will heal by welcoming the word of the Beatitudes and setting us back on the path of the Gospel.‘
Joy can be rekindled with ’gestures of openness to others and attention,‘ said Leo XIV. ’Of course, in their simplicity, they put us against the tide. Jesus himself was tempted in the desert by other paths: to assert his identity, to show it off, to have the world at his feet. However, he rejected the paths that would have caused him to lose his true flavour, the one we find every Sunday in the broken bread: life given, love that makes no noise," he added.
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09/02/2020 13:47
