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Pope Francis will visit the people impacted by the earthquake that devastated areas of central Italy, so as to personally bring them “the comfort of faith, the embrace of a father and brother, and the support of Christian hope”. The Pontiff made the announcement after reciting
the Angelus on Sunday, 28 August, with the faithful in St Peter”s Square.
After the Marian prayer, before greeting the various groups present, the Pope renewed
his “spiritual closeness” to the victims of the recent quake in Lazio, the
Marches and Umbria. “ I think in particular”, he said, “of the people of
Amatrice, Accumoli, Arquata and Pescara del Tronto, and Norcia. I would like to
again say to those dear people that the Church shares in their suffering and
their concerns”. After asking the faithful to pray “for those who have died and
for those who have survived”, Francis expressed gratitude to “the authorities,
police, civil protection and volunteers who are serving”. Their attentiveness,
he remarked, “shows how important solidarity is in overcoming such painful
trials”. This was the spirit of his message to the people of the affected
areas: “as soon as possible I too hope to come to see you.
Earlier the Pontiff spoke about the two Gospel parables from the day”s liturgy and
focused on the values of humility and gratuity. “History teaches that pride,
careerism, vanity and ostentation”, he said, “are the causes of many evils. And
Jesus helps us to understand the necessity of choosing the last place, that is,
of seeking to be small and hidden”. In particular he noted that Jesus “gives
voice to those who are voiceless”, and urges us “to open our hearts” and to
share in “the sufferings and anxieties of the poor, the hungry, the
marginalized, the refugees” and to all those “who are rejected by society and
by the arrogance of the strong”.
After the Angelus, Pope Francis recalled the beatification of Sr Maria Antonia de San
Jose, which took place on Saturday in Argentina. He also reminded the faithful
of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which will be celebrated
on Thursday, 1 September.
