Pope: “Love and forgiveness greater than any wound and stronger than any injustice”
Prevost continued the cycle of Jubilee catechesis at the audience. Last night in Castel Gandolfo, dialogue with the press. On Trump's plan for Gaza: “A realistic proposal. I hope Hamas accepts it”. On the Global Sumud Flotilla: “May people be respected”. US “vocabulary” on war shows “increased tensions”: “Always work for peace”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The “heart” of the Church's mission is “not to exercise power over others, but to communicate the joy of those who have been loved even when they did not deserve it”. From this ‘strength’ Christian communities were born, made up of ‘men and women who discovered the beauty of returning to life in order to give it to others,' reflected Pope Leo XIV.
He was speaking today in St. Peter's Square, during the general audience, the first of October, in front of pilgrims from every continent, in his catechesis on the theme The Resurrection. ‘Peace be with you!’. Taking up the invitation shared last week, addressing the Polish-speaking faithful, the Pope asked them to ‘recite the daily rosary for peace this month.’
After the Jubilee catechesis, part of the cycle on ‘Jesus Christ our hope,’ speaking to French-speaking people, he said: ‘Let us become witnesses of peace and love stronger than our failures and divisions.’
And, greeting those of Arabic language, ‘especially those from Lebanon and the Holy Land,’ he added: ‘Christians are called to witness that love and forgiveness are greater than any wound and stronger than any injustice.’ For almost two years the most painful injustice in the Holy Land has been the condition of the Palestinian population in Gaza, exhausted by Israeli attacks and the blockade of humanitarian aid.
Last night, Pope Francis commented on Trump's 20-point plan, accepted by Netanyahu, while talking to the press as he left Villa Barberini, Castel Gandolfo, on foot, in what has become a regular appointment in recent weeks.
For Prevost, the plan represents ‘a realistic proposal’ that contains ‘very interesting’ elements. ‘It is important, however, that there be a ceasefire and the release of hostages,’ he said. ‘I hope that Hamas will accept within the established time frame.’
Also last night, the Pope spoke out on the Global Sumud Flotilla, the humanitarian initiative involving more than 50 boats and participants from 44 countries with the stated aim of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip to establish a humanitarian corridor.
At the time of writing, the flotilla has entered the “high-risk zone” off the Palestinian coast. Prevost described the situation as ‘very difficult’. ‘You can see the desire to respond [to] a real humanitarian emergency, but there are so many elements there that everyone is talking about,’ he said. On the likely imminent intervention by the Israeli navy, he told the press: ‘We hope there will be no violence, that people will be respected. That is very important.’
Speaking to journalists yesterday evening, Pope Leo XIV commented on recent statements by the head of the US Department of Defence - recently renamed the Department of War - Pete Hegseth.
Speaking to hundreds of high-ranking military personnel gathered in Quantico, Virginia, the US politician said: ‘To ensure peace, we must prepare for war.’ He added: ‘Our job is to prepare for war and win it.’
Pope Leo reflected that: ‘This kind of talk is worrying because it shows [...] an increase in tensions.’ On the choice to change the words, giving space to “war”, he continued: ‘We hope it's just a figure of speech.’ The style of the US government indicates that ‘they want to show strength’. And then: ‘We must always work for peace.’
The Pope also said he was “saddened” by the news coming out of Madagascar. ‘About the violent clashes between law enforcement and young protesters, which have resulted in the death of some of them and a hundred injured,’ he explained.
The East African country has been rocked by days of protests by Gen Z, centred on the difficult economic and social situations of the population. ‘Let us pray to the Lord that all forms of violence may always be avoided and that the constant search for social harmony may be fostered through the promotion of justice and the common good.’
In his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV also emphasised how, with his Resurrection, Jesus is ‘a marvellous testimony to how love is capable of rising again after a great defeat to continue its unstoppable journey.’ After a trauma, in fact, the natural reaction can be ‘anger.’
Instead, in Jesus who arrives at the Upper Room after his death, "there is no shadow of resentment. The wounds [he shows] are not meant to reproach, but to confirm a love stronger than any infidelity.‘ The disciples “rejoiced” at the sight. The task entrusted to them is to ’be instruments of reconciliation in the world.‘ Not ’power,‘ but ’responsibility."
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