On the day in which the Church remembers the last apparition of Our Lady in Fatima, Pope Francis forcefully addressed the international community, asking for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, so that space can be given to diplomacy and dialogue. After the Angelus prayer, the pontiff raised his voice again to reiterate that war is a defeat for everyone and launched a heartfelt appeal for peace in the Middle East. Francis said he felt close to all the populations involved in the conflicts in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon, with a particular thought for the United Nations peacekeeping forces, whose respect is fundamental to avoid further escalation. “I pray for all the victims, for the displaced, for the hostages who I hope will soon be released”, declared the Pope, expressing the hope that the suffering generated by hatred and revenge can soon come to an end.
“Brothers and sisters, war is an illusion, it is a defeat,” he added firmly. “It will never bring peace, it will never bring security, it is a defeat for everyone, especially for those who believe they are invincible.” In a heartfelt voice, he then appealed: “Stop, please.” But Francis’ gaze did not stop only at the Middle East. The Pope also extended his prayers to Ukraine, a country tormented by months of conflict. “Let’s not let the Ukrainians freeze to death,” he said, calling on the international community to take charge of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. “Stop killing innocents,” he asked, referring to air strikes against the civilian population, underlining that it is always the weakest who pay the highest price.
The Pope’s appeal comes at a time of great international tension, but his hope remains alive: only dialogue and diplomacy can pave the way to lasting peace. Below is the full text of the Angelus.
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
The Gospel of today’s liturgy (Mc 10.17-30) tells us about a rich man who runs to meet Jesus and asks him: “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17). Jesus invites him to leave everything and follow him, but he, saddened, leaves because – says the text – “he actually possessed many possessions” (v. 23). It costs to leave everything.
We can see the two movements of this man: at the beginning runsto go to Jesus; in the end, however, he goes away saddened, he goes away sad. First he runs towards you, and then he leaves. Let’s focus on this.
First of all, this guy runs to Jesus. It is as if something in his heart was pushing him: in fact, despite having so much riches, he is dissatisfied, he carries within him a restlessness, he is looking for a fuller life. As the sick and possessed often do (see Mc 3.10; 5,6), in the Gospel we see, he throws himself at the feet of the Master; he is rich, yet he needs healing. He is rich but needs healing. Jesus looks at him with love (v. 21); then, he offers him a “therapy”: sell everything he has, give it to the poor and follow him. But, at this point, an unexpected conclusion arrives: this man gets sad on his face and goes away! The desire to meet Jesus was as great and impetuous as the farewell from Him was cold and quick.
We too carry in our hearts an irrepressible need for happiness and a life full of meaning; however, we can fall into the illusion of thinking that the answer lies in the possession of material things and earthly securities. Jesus instead wants to bring us back to the truth of our desires and make us discover that, in reality, the good we long for is God himself, his love for us and the eternal life that He and He alone can give us. True wealth is being looked at with love by the Lord – this is great wealth – and as Jesus does with that man, loving each other by making our lives a gift for others. Brothers and sisters, therefore, Jesus invites us to take risks, to “risk love”: selling everything to give it to the poor, which means stripping ourselves of ourselves and our false securities, paying attention to those in need and sharing our goods, not just things but what we are: our talents, our friendship, our time, and so on.
Brothers and sisters, that rich man didn’t want to risk, risk what? He didn’t want to risk love and left with a sad face. And us? Let’s ask ourselves: what is our heart attached to? How do we satiate our hunger for life and happiness? Do we know how to share with those who are poor, with those who are in difficulty or who need a little listening, who need a smile, a word that helps them find hope again? Or that needs to be listened to… Let’s remember this: true wealth is not the goods of this world, true wealth is being loved by God and learning to love like Him.
And now we ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, to help us discover the treasure of life in Jesus.
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After the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters!
I continue to follow with concern what is happening in the Middle East, and I once again call for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts. Let us follow the paths of diplomacy and dialogue to obtain peace.
I am close to all the populations involved, in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon, where I ask that the United Nations peacekeeping forces be respected. I pray for all the victims, for the displaced, for the hostages who I hope will be released immediately, and I hope that this great useless suffering, generated by hatred and revenge, will end soon.
Brothers and sisters, war is an illusion, it is a defeat, it will never bring peace, it will never bring security, it is a defeat for everyone, especially for those who believe they are invincible. Stop, please!
I make my appeal so that the Ukrainians are not left to freeze to death and that the air attacks against the civilian population, which is always the most affected, cease. Stop killing innocents!
I follow the dramatic situation in Haiti, where violence against the population continues, forced to flee their homes in search of safety elsewhere, inside and outside the country. Let us never forget our Haitian brothers and sisters. I ask everyone to pray that all forms of violence may cease and, with the commitment of the international community, we continue to work to build peace and reconciliation in the country, always defending the dignity and rights of all.
I greet you, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and many countries, in particular, the Association of the Militia of the Immaculate founded by Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the parishes of Resuttano (Caltanissetta), the Italian Paralympic athletes with the guides and assistants and the group of Pax Christi International.
Once again I greet the new students of the Urban College that I met this morning.
Next Friday, October 18, the “Aid to the Church in Need” Foundation is promoting the initiative “One million children recite the Rosary for peace in the world”. Thanks to all the boys and girls who participate! We join them and entrust to the intercession of the Madonna – of which today marks the anniversary of the last apparition in Fatima – to the intercession of the Madonna we entrust the tormented Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan and the other populations suffering from the war and every form of violence and misery.
I greet the children of the Immaculate Conception and I see Polish, Brazilian, Argentine, Ecuadorian, French flags… I greet everyone!
