– We know very well that even today brotherhood does not seem like something that is taken for granted, it is not immediate – said Lav.
– Many conflicts, so many wars around the world, social tensions and feelings of hatred would really seem to show the opposite.
However, brotherhood is not a beautiful, impossible dream, it is not the wish of a few misguided people – he said.
– But in order to overcome the shadows that threaten him, the Pope explained, we must go to the source and above all draw light and strength from the One who alone frees us from the poison of enmity.
According to him, the word ‘brother’ comes from a very ancient root, which means to take care of, nurture, support and maintain.
Applied to every human person, it becomes a request, an invitation.
“We often think,” continued the American Pope, “that the role of brother or sister refers to kinship, to blood kinship, to belonging to the same family.”
– In fact, we know very well how disagreement, discord, and sometimes hatred can destroy relations between relatives, and not only between strangers – he said.
“This shows”, continued Leo, “the need, today more urgent than ever, to reconsider the greeting with which Saint Francis of Assisi addressed everyone, regardless of geographical, cultural, religious and doctrinal origin: omnes fratres was an inclusive way in which the saint placed all human beings on the same level, precisely because he recognized their common destiny of dignity, dialogue, acceptance and salvation”.
The Pope stressed the importance of breaking the “negative logic of selfishness, division and mistreatment”, calling on the faithful to support each other as brothers and sisters.
The lion also said that “war is useless slaughter, nothing is better than peace”, and in his greeting he reminded the Polish pilgrims of the independence of their homeland.
The Pope also called on the Catholic Church and society to work to strengthen the dignity of women.
“Last Saturday in Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala,” he recalled, “Mother Eliswa Vakayil, founder of the Third Order of the Discalced Teresian Carmelites, was beatified.”
– Her brave dedication to the emancipation of the poorest girls is a source of inspiration for all who work, in the Church and in society, for the dignity of women – he said.
The Pope also recalled today’s commemoration of “Bishop St. Josaphat, martyr for his tireless zeal for the unity of the Church”.
– I encourage everyone to be aware of the received gifts of grace, so that they can be available to the community – he said.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
