Pope expresses closeness to Damascus Christians, urges the world not to ignore Syria
“May the wounds caused by the bloody actions” in “Iran, Israel and Palestine” be healed, said Leo XIV this morning from St Peter's, calling on the world to choose “the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace”. In his Jubilee catechesis, the pontiff stressed that when “we perform an act of faith addressed to Jesus,” we come closer to “his grace”. The pope also wished young people to use summer as “an opportunity for useful social and religious experiences”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV spoke at the end of the Wednesday general audience, saying that, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Is 2:4). With these words of urgency, he called on the world to heed the voice that “comes from the Highest.”
The pontiff spoke this morning in St Peter's Square in his last general audience before a break for the hottest month of the year, until 30 July.
Speaking about the situation in “Iran, Israel and Palestine,” Leo said: “May the wounds caused by the bloody actions of recent days be healed. Let us reject arrogance and revenge, and instead resolutely choose the path of dialogue, diplomacy, and peace.”
From the window, during the audience dedicated to appeals, in front of thousands of people, the pontiff also addressed the Christian communities of the Middle East: “I am close to you! The whole Church is close to you,” a reference to the “heinous” and terrible terrorist attack against the Greek Orthodox community in Mar Elias church in Damascus that left dozens of people dead or wounded on 22 June.
“We entrust the victims to God’s mercy and we offer our prayers for the wounded and their families,” he said. This “tragic event” reveals Syria’s “fragility” after years of war and instability and despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last year.
“It is therefore essential that the international community not ignore this country, but continue to offer support through gestures of solidarity and a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation,” the pope added.
The "healings of Jesus as a sign of hope” were at the centre of today's catechesis, read at the opening of the audience.
Leo first mentioned a "very widespread ailment of our time is the fatigue of living,” which emerges when reality appears "too complex, burdensome, [and] difficult to face".
This feeling – together with the judgment of those who “put labels on others" – leads to falling asleep and switching off "in the delusion that, upon waking, things will be different.”
Instead, reality can be faced without fear. Indeed, “With Jesus, we can do it well,” the pontiff explained.
Situations today are like those cite in the Gospel of Mark (Mk 5:21-43), in the story of a sick 12-year-old girl and that of a woman bleeding for 12 years, who tries to get close to Jesus in the crowd to be healed.
In his cycle of Jubilee reflections, Pope Leo XIV added to the story of the two women that of the girl’s father, leader of a synagogue.
“When it is necessary to wait, he does not lose his patience, and he waits. And when they come to tell him that his daughter is dead and it is pointless to disturb the Master, he continues to have faith and to hope.”
“[W]with great courage,” the bleeding woman approaches and touches Jesus’s cloak. “At times, we too can be victims of the judgment of others, who presume to put a robe on us that is not our own,” he added.
Thus, she “embarks on the path of salvation when the faith that Jesus can heal her germinates” and heals. “[E]very time we perform an act of faith addressed to Jesus, contact is established with Him, and immediately his grace comes out from Him.”
In fact, the woman was the only one in the crowd to emerge transformed. Pope Leo quoted Saint Augustine, who is very dear to him: “The crowd crowds around me, but faith touches me” (Sermon 243, 2, 2).
“Perhaps today too, many people approach Jesus in a superficial way, without truly believing in his power. We walk the surfaces of our churches, but maybe our heart is elsewhere!” the pontiff lamented.
Jesus then goes to the house of the girl, Jairus’s daughter, whose death became public knowledge. He says to her, “Talitah kum,” “Little girl, get up!” and she begins to walk. “For God, who is eternal Life, death of the body is like sleep. True death is that of the soul: of this we must be afraid!!” the pope said.
At the end of his address, Leo extended his greetings to young people, the sick and newlyweds, and dedicated a thought to the summer, which officially began with the solstice, on 21 June, "for many people a time of vacation and rest".
"For you, dear young people, may it be an opportunity for useful social and religious experiences; for you, dear newlyweds, a period to cement your union and deepen your mission in the Church and in society," he said. "I also hope that you, dear sick people, will not lack the closeness of loved ones during these summer months".
In addressing young people and students in Arabic, he said, “I invite you to continue praying and to imitate the qualities of the young Jesus who grew in wisdom, age and grace before God and men.”
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04/05/2022 12:31
