FRANCIS AT WYD2016, by Maria Fischer •
Pope Francis’ first message in Poland was clear and was the topic in all of the European media on Wednesday, 27 July 2016:
Also needed is a spirit of readiness to welcome those fleeing from wars and hunger, and solidarity with those deprived of their fundamental rights, including the right to profess one’s faith in freedom and safety…This means doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering while tirelessly working with wisdom and constancy for justice and peace, bearing witness in practice to human and Christian values,” said Pope Francis in his speech at the Wawel Castle in Krakow in the presence of Polish President Andrzej Duda, government authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and the country’s educational authorities.
He clearly explained that what is missing in Europe and the whole world, where the terrorists of the so-called “Islamic State” sow fear and where xenophobia and nationalism is growing:
This last area calls for great wisdom and compassion, in order to overcome fear and to achieve the greater good. There is a need to seek out the reasons for emigration from Poland and to facilitate the return of all those wishing to repatriate. Also needed is a spirit of readiness to welcome those fleeing from wars and hunger, and solidarity with those deprived of their fundamental rights, including the right to profess one’s faith in freedom and safety. At the same time, new forms of exchange and cooperation need to be developed on the international level in order to resolve the conflicts and wars that force so many people to leave their homes and their native lands. This means doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering while tirelessly working with wisdom and constancy for justice and peace, bearing witness in practice to human and Christian values.”
Within this context, Francis differentiated between
two kinds of memory: good and bad, positive and negative”
and explained:
Good memory is what the Bible shows us in the Magnificat, the canticle of Mary, who praises the Lord and his saving works. Negative memory, on the other hand, keeps the mind and heart obsessively fixed on evil, especially the wrongs committed by others.”
Worthy advice throughout a journey of self-education…
All texts, videos and official photographs of Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Poland for the 31st World Youth Day (27-31 July 2016)
