Pope at Angelus: Appeal for
Middle East, recalls "saints next door"
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| Pope Franis celebrates Mass and recites the Angelus in Camerino, Italy (Vatican Media) |
After celebrating Holy Mass in Camerino, in the Italian
Marches Region, Pope Francis recites the Angelus Prayer, thanking those who
helped prepare for his visit, and remembering “the saints next door”. He also
appeals for a resolution to conflict in the Middle East.
By Vatican News
Before reciting the Angelus after Mass, Pope Francis voiced
his concern over “increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf.” “I call on
everyone”, he said, “to use the instruments of diplomacy to resolve the complex
problems of the conflicts in the Middle East. I also renew to the international
community my heartfelt appeal for every possible effort to be made to promote
dialogue and peace.”
Plight of Refugees
The Pope also recalled that June 20th marks United
Nations World Refugee Day. “This day invites everyone to show solidarity with
men, women and children fleeing wars, persecution and violations of fundamental
rights”, he said. “May our ecclesial and civil communities be close to them and
attentive to their needs and sufferings”.
Pope Francis then proceeded to greet not only those present
in Piazza Cavour, in the town of Camerino, but also those who, “through radio
and television, have united themselves spiritually to this Holy Mass”. He
remembered especially “the sick, the elderly, and prisoners”, and thanked “all
those - institutions, organizations, associations and individuals - who worked
for this brief but intense visit”.
Saints next door
“May you walk together and joyfully in the way of faith,
hope and charity”, said Pope Francis, “faithful to the many witnesses of
holiness of which your land is rich”. Aside from famous individuals like St
Nicholas of Tolentino, the Pope said he was thinking of “the many figures of
"saints next door" who have not been beatified or canonized, but who
supported and transformed families and communities with the strength of their
Christian lives”.
A new Blessed
In this regard, Pope Francis mentioned the beatification, on
Saturday in Sardinia, of Edvige Carboni. He described her as “a simple woman of
the people who in her humble daily life embraced the Cross, giving witness of
faith and charity”. The Pope invited those present to applaud the new Blessed,
and said we should “give thanks for this faithful disciple of Christ, who spent
her whole life in the service of God and her neighbour”.
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