I assure my closeness to the people of the Philippines, struck a few days ago by a powerful earthquake. I pray for the deceased and their families, for the wounded, and for all those suffering because of this disaster.
The Lord is a refuge for the poor (cf. Ps 14:6). In Christ, we are called to become poor and to be a refuge for the poor. The Christian community cannot remain indifferent to the many who stand at the door but remain invisible to those who are shut within their own walls. https://t.co/sbtiuOBod5
Having become our brother, the Son of God looks at the people; He looks at humanity and sees the oppression that burdens and the violence that causes strength to fade. He sees the wounds of war and the emptiness of consumerism. He sees faces reduced to masks, families torn apart by evil, and young people misled by false ideals. Jesus sees and loves. He loves and suffers for and with us: His compassion expresses not only fraternal closeness, but His desire to redeem. #GospelOfToday (Mt 9:36 – 10:8)
Dear brother priests, on the day when the Church ponders her Lord’s pierced Heart, from which gushes forth an inexhaustible fountain of peace and unity for all humanity, I first address to myself and to all of you the words that God spoke to the people of Israel: “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19:2; 1 Pt 1:16).
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"God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16). This is the heart of the Gospel, the heart of Christ. Whoever immerses themselves in it no longer lives for themselves. I give thanks for the abundant witnesses of faith and charity I have experienced on this #ApostolicJourney to #Spain.
Fear, indifference, and the violence of those who trade in human life must not have the final word. The final word belongs to Christ, who identifies with the stranger, touches the wounds of humanity, and calls us to recognize Him in every brother and sister who needs to be welcomed, protected, supported, and integrated. Let us lift our gaze to Him, without turning away from those who suffer. Let us look to the Lord to learn to see our brothers and sisters through His eyes.
From this square, I wish to address a clear message to those who take advantage of people’s desperation, to those who organize death routes, traffic in human beings, withhold documents, exploit workers, threaten women, deceive families, and turn the suffering of others into a business. Stop! Repent! (Mk 1:15) #ApostolicJourney
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Today in the Church, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For Christians, Jesus’ Heart symbolizes God’s merciful and infinite love for every human being. No matter where we come from, God’s love knows no borders, makes no distinctions, is given to all, and brings us together in unity. #ApostolicJourney
Let us remember that we are the living presence of the Lord in the world. Enkindled by the charity of Christ's Heart, let us bear witness to His mercy and peace, so that wars may cease in the world and a new humanity may rise up around us, reconciled in love. #ApostolicJourney
We must keep in mind two attitudes in our Christian life in order to be “wise architects” in building the civilization of love. The first guiding principle is to take up the cross of Christ as Good Samaritans, accompanying and helping to carry the burdens of so many brothers and sisters who are crucified by life’s trials. The second principle is to cultivate a Eucharistic spirituality, a spirituality of ecclesial unity in love.
While there is a right to seek refuge when life is threatened, there is also the right not to have to migrate: the right to remain in one’s own home without hunger, war, persecution, violence, the land becoming uninhabitable, corruption stealing the bread from the poor, or weapons destroying the future of children. #ApostolicJourney
The drama of migration must serve as an appeal to the conscience of the nations of origin of the migrants, which must establish conditions for peace, justice and development. It is also an appeal to the conscience of the transit nations, which are called to protect the vulnerable and not leave them in the hands of criminal networks. It is likewise an appeal to the conscience of Europe, which cannot claim to uphold human dignity while growing accustomed to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic becoming unmarked graves, as well as that of the international community, which is called to effective and persevering cooperation. #ApostolicJourney https://t.co/3YfdiJYiGg
Every boat that arrives brings a question along with the migrants: what kind of world have we built, if so many brothers and sisters must risk death to seek life? Human dignity demands legal and safe pathways, rescue and assistance, real cooperation against traffickers, effective protection for victims, serious processes of reception and integration, and policies that allow every person to live with dignity in their own land. We cannot grow accustomed to counting the dead. Human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border. #ApostolicJourney
The beauty of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia inspires us to learn ever more from our Master and Lord the art of living according to His Gospel. As we lift our gaze toward Him, the Crucified and Risen One, let us commit ourselves to lift up those who lie in the dust (cf. 1 Sam 2:8). Let us show in this way that the Sagrada Familia is the tallest church in the world, not so as to stand out in worldly rankings, but rather to guide the steps of the people of God, with the Cross illuminating their path, like a lamp burning brightly as we await the return of the Bridegroom. #ApostolicJourney #Spain
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In addition to being kind and gentle, Christians must be compassionate, love selflessly, and seek the good of others, knowing that in every brother and sister who suffers it is the Lord Himself who asks and receives, who is welcomed or rejected, loved, or despised.
The World Cup begins tomorrow, and many will watch the matches. Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together. Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet understood the game. Anyone who does not know how to live with and for others has not yet understood life. #ApostolicJourney
Let us ask Mary, Queen of Peace, to teach us to renounce hurtful words, hasty judgment, gossip, and slander. May we learn to cherish and nurture love within our families, among friends, in the workplace, on social media, in political debates, and in Christian communities, so that hatred may give way to hope and peace. #ApostolicJourney
Let us make room for the Lord in our hearts and seek His face. Let us allow His love to guide us. Let us cling to Him, who continually invites us to hope and shows us a wonderful horizon that no physical barrier can prevent us from reaching. Today, Jesus continues to speak to us in the depths of our consciences, helping us discover that He dwells among us. He is only waiting for us to give Him a chance.
Every human being is worthy by the mere fact of having been willed, created, and loved by God. There is no situation that causes the Lord to turn His gaze away from us. It is a consoling truth that accompanies us at all times and reminds us that His merciful love always outweighs whatever good or evil we may have done. #ApostolicJourney
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God loves you just as you are, but He dreams of you being even better! The Lord allows us all to start anew, for being human and being Christian does not mean never making mistakes, but rather growing in the ability to convert, repent, make amends and, above all, to reconcile and forgive.