God remembers everyone, even those who seem forgotten by history. It is the Pope’s central thought at the Angelus on the day in which the Church commemorates the faithful departed.
“In the living memory of Jesus, even those who no one remembers, even those who history seems to have erased, appear in their infinite dignity”, underlined Leone. Christians have “the hope that no one will be lost”. Precisely for this reason the Pope announces that in the afternoon he will celebrate Mass at the Verano Cemetery (here it is possible to follow the live broadcast): «Personally», he said, «pI will stand over the graves of my loved ones but I will also pray for the dead that no one remembers. Our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us, one by one, and forgets no one.”
From the window of the Apostolic Palace, in the catechesis before the Marian prayer, the Pope addresses the numerous faithful present in St. Peter’s Square, hoping that «the visit to the cemetery, where silence interrupts the frenzy of doing, will therefore be for all of us an invitation to remember and wait. We are not closed in the past, in the tears of nostalgia. Nor are we sealed in the present, as in a tomb. May the familiar voice of Jesus reach us, and reach everyone, because it is the only one that comes from the future. He calls us by name, prepares a place for us, frees us from the sense of impotence with which we risk giving up on life.”
A pain, however, that of detachment, which for a Catholic is only temporary, in the awareness of the return to life. «I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come», says the Pope, quoting the words of I believe. A perspective, the defeat of death, which in these days of early November «illuminates the destiny of each of us», continues the Pontiff, recalling what Jesus said in the Gospel of John: «This is the will of him who sent me: that I should not lose anything of what he has given me, but that he should raise it up on the last day. It is clear”, underlines Leone, “the center of God’s concerns: that no one is lost forever, that everyone has their place and shines in their uniqueness”.
The Pope explains the profound connection that unites the Solemnity of All Saints, celebrated on November 1st and which is a “communion of differences that broadens the life of God to all the daughters and sons who have wished to be part of it”, but also the desire “inscribed in the heart of every human being”, which invokes “recognition, attention and joy”. With the Commemoration of all the faithful deceased, the mystery, he explains, is “even closer” because “in fact, we know God’s concern not to lose anyone from the inside every time death seems to make us lose a voice, a face, an entire world forever. Each person, in fact, is an entire world.”
The one on November 2nd, Pope Leo remarks, «it is a day that challenges human memory, so precious and so fragile». Without memory of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, he continues, “the immense treasure of every life is exposed to forgetfulness”. In the living memory of Jesus, however, even those who are not remembered by anyone and even “those who history seems to have erased” appear in their “infinite dignity”. Once again, the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone: «Here is the Easter announcement», the reason why «Christians have always remembered the deceased in every Eucharist, and to this day ask that their loved ones be mentioned in the Eucharistic prayer. From that announcement arises the hope that no one will be lost».
At the end of the Marian prayer the Pope denounced the “tragic” situation in Sudan: «With great pain I follow the tragic news coming from Sudan», in particular from «torn northern Darfur. Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenseless civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian action are causing unacceptable suffering to a population already exhausted by long months of conflict. We pray that the Lord welcomes the deceased, supports the suffering and touches the hearts of those responsible. I renew a heartfelt appeal to the parties involved”, he continued, “for a ceasefire and the urgent opening of humanitarian corridors. Finally, I invite the international community to intervene decisively and generously to offer assistance and support those who do their utmost to provide relief.”
The Pope also prayed for Tanzania«where after the recent political elections clashes broke out with numerous victims. I invite everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to follow the path of dialogue”, his appeal.
