This Sunday, Pope Francis urged that migration phenomena be approached as “something essential for the future of everyone,” responding with “fraternity, taking into account human life, specific people and their needs.”
At the end of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Francis said the challenge posed by the migration crisis cannot be tackled by countries alone, as Italy struggles to cope with a huge increase in arrivals from Northern Europe. Africa.
“The phenomenon of migration is a challenge that is not easy to face, as we have seen in the news in recent days,” Pope Francis said.
And he continued: “It is a challenge that we must face together, because it is essential for everyone’s future, which will only be prosperous if it is built on brotherhood, where human dignity, especially for those most in need, comes first.”
In his speech, Francisco also spoke about the trip he will make to the French city of Marseille on Friday, September 22, to participate in the closing of the third edition of the ‘Mediterranean Encounters’.
This event serves to “promote paths of peace, cooperation and integration, with special attention to the phenomenon of migration,” he explained on the occasion.
The Pope emphasized the “challenge that is not easy” caused by the arrival of thousands of migrants on the island of Lampedusa, Italy. It is something that “must be faced together,” he emphasized.
Francis, who also called for continued prayers for the “tormented Ukrainian people” and for “peace in all war-stained lands,” focused his Angelus reflection on God’s mercy.
“Jesus’ message is clear: God forgives extraordinarily, immeasurably. That’s how He is, He acts out of love and gratitude. We cannot answer, but when we forgive our brother or sister, we imitate him. Therefore, Forgiveness is not a good deed that you can do or not do, it is a fundamental condition for a Christian,” he emphasized.
“Forgiveness is the oxygen that purifies the air polluted by hatred, it is the antidote that cures the poison of resentment, it is the way to deactivate anger and cure so many heart diseases that pollute society,” he added.
“Each of us” must “think of a person who hurt us” and “forgive him,” he said. “This will do us good and bring back peace to our hearts,” he emphasized.
Source: DN
