Pellegrini in San Pietro to cross the Holy Door (Reuters)
«We live this Lent, all the more in the Jubilee, as a healing time. I too am experimenting with it, in the soul and body. Fragility and disease are experiences that all unite us; All the more so, however, we are brothers in the salvation that Christ has given us ».
For the seventh consecutive Sunday, theAngelus by Pope Francis It is widespread only in writing even if, for a week, the pontiff has been experiencing his convalescence to Casa Santa Marta, In the Vatican, after the resignation by the Gemelli Polyclinic where he was hospitalized for more than a month to treat the bilateral pneumonia that hit him.
In the message for Angelus, Francesco, reflecting on Lent, thanks everyone “Those who, in the image of the Savior, are for the next healing tools with their word and science, with affection and prayer”.
The Pope then focuses on the Gospel of this fourth Sunday of Lent, This “laedare”, that is “of joy”: “Jesus realizes that the Pharisees, instead of being happy because sinners approach him, are scandalized and murmur behind him”, writes the Pope, “then Jesus tells them of a Father who has two children: one leaves home but then, who ended up in misery, returns and is welcomed with joy; The other, the “obedient” son, disdained with his father does not want to enter the party. Thus Jesus reveals the heart of God: always merciful to everyone; heals our wounds because we can love each other as brothers».
Bergoglio focuses on the situations of war and of more dramatic crisis of this time: «By trusting in the mercy of God the Father, we continue to pray for peace: In the battered Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar, which also suffers from the earthquake ».
The Pope also said he followed with «concern the situation in South Sudan. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all leaders, because they have the utmost commitment to lower the tension in the country. Divergences must be put aside and, with courage and responsibility, sit around a table and start a constructive dialogue. Only in this way will it be possible to alleviate the suffering of the beloved South-Spanish population and build a future of peace and stability ».
In Sudan, Remember again, “the war continues to reap innocent victims. I urge the parties in conflict to put the life of their life of their civil brothers in the first place; And I hope that new negotiations have started as soon as possible, capable of ensuring a lasting solution to the crisis. THEto the international community to increase efforts to cope with the frightening humanitarian catastrophe».
“Thank God,” he concludes, “there are also positive facts: I mention for example the ratification of the agreement on the delimitation of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which represents an excellent diplomatic result. Encourage both countries to continue on this path ». Finally, the invocation to “Mary, mother of Mercy”, so that, he underlines, “help the human family to reconcile in peace”.
Meanwhile, the appointments of the Jubilee without the Pope continue: after that of Missionaries of mercy, Which is carried out in these days, the pontiff will not be present even at that of next weekend, 5 and 6 April, dedicated to the sick and the world of health. To celebrate the mass in St. Peter’s Square, in its place, will be Monsignor Rino Fisichella.
