Italian
This morning Pope Francis arrived unexpectedly at St. Peter’s Basilica to pray on Palm Sunday. In the text prepared for the Angelus, addressing all the faithful, the Pontiff highlighted: “In the Gospel we heard the account of the Lord’s Passion according to Luke (cf. Lk 22:14-23:56). We heard Jesus address the Father several times: ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done’ (22:42); ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (23:34); ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’ (23:46). Helpless and humiliated, we saw him walk towards the cross with the feelings and heart of a child clinging to his father’s neck, fragile in the flesh but strong in trusting surrender, until falling asleep in death, in his embrace.” These are feelings that the liturgy calls us to contemplate and make our own. We all have pains, physical or moral, and faith helps us not to give in to despair, not to close ourselves in bitterness, but to face them feeling enveloped, like Jesus, by the provident and merciful embrace of the Father.
The Pope thanked everyone for their closeness and prayers: “In this moment of physical weakness they help me to feel even more the closeness, compassion, and tenderness of God. I also pray for you, and I ask you to entrust with me to the Lord all those who are suffering, especially those affected by war, poverty, or natural disasters. In particular, may God welcome into His peace the victims of the collapse of a building in Santo Domingo, and may He comfort their families.”
Then he remembered the many conflicts in the world by praying for peace and directing his thoughts to Sudan: “On April 15, the second sad anniversary of the beginning of the conflict with thousands of deaths and millions of families forced to leave their homes will be commemorated. The suffering of children, women, and vulnerable people cries out to heaven and implores us to act. I renew my appeal to the parties involved, to put an end to the violence and embark on paths of dialogue, and to the international community, so that essential aid is not lacking for the populations.” He also remembered Lebanon, “where fifty years ago the tragic civil war began: with God’s help may it live in peace and prosperity.” At the end of the Angelus, he made a heartfelt appeal: “May peace finally come in the tormented Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, South Sudan. Mary, Sorrowful Mother, obtain this grace for us and help us to live the Holy Week with faith.”
Yesterday in the early afternoon he went to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and, on the eve of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, he stopped to pray in front of the icon of the Virgin, Salus Populi Romani. All very encouraging signs that his health is improving day by day.
Photo of the featured image and video: Copyright Vatican Media
Photo of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: Copyright Holy See Press Office
