08/03/2016, 12.05
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Pope: Krakow, prophetic for young people, Europe, the world and its "piecemeal war"

Wednesday audiences resume, with Pope Francis' reflections on his recent visit to Poland. The fraternity of young people is a "sign of hope". "Flags of nations in conflict waving side by side". Poland says to Europe that "there can be no future for the continent without its founding values", among which there is mercy, witnessed by Pope John Paul II and Sr. Faustina Kowalska. The abyss of evil in Auschwitz and evil today "look alike." Best wishes to the Brazilian people for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Tomorrow the Pope will travel to the Porziuncola (Assisi).

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The World Youth Day celebrated in Krakow and centered on mercy, is "a prophetic sign for Poland, for Europe and for the world", which is slipping into a "piecemeal war", said Pope Francis today as he resumed his Wednesday catechesis, after the summer break.

The pontiff returned three days ago from the Polish city, where he celebrated XXXI World Youth Day together with 2 million young people from all over the world. In fact, speaking of the young people, the Pope said they are the "heirs and successors of the pilgrimage begun by St. John Paul II, who have responded to the challenge of today, giving a sign of hope, which is called brotherhood. Because this world at war is in need of fraternity, dialogue, friendship, and this is a sign of hope when there is brotherhood".

"The emblematic image of the World Youth Days is the multicolored sea of ​​waving flags: in fact, at the WYD, the flags of the nations become more beautiful, the are 'purified' so to speak, and even flags of nations in conflict are waved side by side and this is a good thing, even here there are flags, so wave them! So, in this their great Jubilee meeting, the youth of the world have accepted the message of Mercy, to bring it everywhere in both spiritual and corporal works".

 

Recalling his visit to the shrine of Chęstochova, the "Mother of the Polish people," the Pope spoke of the history of this people, "inextricably linked to the Cross of Christ. There is palpable faith of the holy faithful people of God, who hold on to hope through trial; and also preserve the wisdom that is a balance between tradition and innovation, between past and future. "

 

"And Poland today - he continued - reminds all of Europe that there can be no future for the continent without its founding values, which in turn are centered on the Christian vision of man. Among those values ​​is the mercy of which two great children of Poland were special apostles: Saint Faustina Kowalska and John Paul II ".

 

"And, finally, this trip had worldwide significance, a world called to respond to the challenge of a “piecemeal war” that is threatening. And here the great silence of the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was more eloquent than any words. In that silence I listened, I felt the presence of all the souls who have passed beyond; I felt the compassion and mercy of God, that some holy souls have also been able to bring into that abyss. In that great silence, I prayed for all the victims of violence and war".

 

"Looking at the cruelty in the concentration camp - he added - I thought of the cruelty of today and it is similar, not as concentrated as there in Auschwitz but similar, in this world that is sick of cruelty, violence and suffering. For this I ask and pray tp the Lord that there be peace".

 

Francis also recalled the young Susanna Rufi, of the diocese of Rome, who died so incredibly quickly after returning from World Youth Day, as well as the RAI journalist Anna Maria Jacobini, who was killed while on duty in Poland.

 

During the greetings in various languages, the Pope used his Portuguese greeting to offer a special greeting to the Brazilian people and the city of Rio de Janeiro, which is going to host the Olympics. "In a world that thirsts for peace, tolerance and reconciliation - he said - I hope that the spirit of the Olympic Games will inspire everyone, participants and spectators, to fight 'the good fight' and finish the race together (cf. 2 Tim 4: 7-8), desirous of achieving not a medal as a reward, but something much more valuable: the creation of a civilization in which solidarity reigns, based on the recognition that we are all members of one human family, regardless of differences in culture, skin color or religion. And for Brazilians, who with their characteristic joy and hospitality organize the Sports Festival, I hope that this may be an opportunity to overcome the difficult times and engage in 'teamwork' for the construction of a fairer and safer country, betting on a future filled with hope and joy. God bless you all! ".

 

At the end of the audience Francis recalled that tomorrow he will travel to the papal basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Porziuncola, to mark the eighth centenary of the "Pardon of Assisi," which recurred yesterday. "It will be - he said - a very simple pilgrimage, but very significant in this Holy Year of Mercy. I ask everyone to accompany me with prayer, invoking the light of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly intercession of St. Francis".

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