Pope Francis sends video message ahead of Colombia
visit
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday sent a video
message to the people of Colombia ahead of his Apostolic Journey to the country
on 6-11 September, inviting them to “take the first step” towards peace.
With just a handful of days to go before his Apostolic
Journey, Pope Francis invited all Colombians to “take the first step” in
reaching out to their neighbor in a sign of peace.
He thanked those “who welcome me to your land and into your
heart” for their many efforts to prepare his visit.
“Let us take the first step” is the theme of his Apostolic Journey to Colombia, and the Holy Father said it
“urges us to be the first to love, in order to build bridges and create
solidarity.”
He said Colombia has long yearned and worked for peace,
which, he said, should be “a stable and lasting peace, so that we see and treat
each other as brothers and not as enemies.”
“Peace,” he said, “reminds us that we are all children of
the same Father, who loves and consoles us.”
Pope Francis went on to say he is “honored to visit this
land so rich in history, culture, and faith.”
He called Colombia a land “of men and women who have labored
with tenacity and perseverance to make it a place where harmony and solidarity
reign, where the Gospel is known and loved, and where saying ‘brother and
sister’ seems not out of place but a true treasure to protect and defend.”
Finally, the Holy Father said the Church is called “to the
task of promoting reconciliation, both with the Lord and between brothers, as
well as reconciliation with the environment, which is God’s Creation and which
we are savagely exploiting.”
Please find below a Vatican Radio English-language
translation of the video:
Dear people of Colombia, in just a few days I will visit
your country. I come as a pilgrim of hope and peace to celebrate with you the
faith in our Lord and also to learn from your charity and perseverance in
search of peace and harmony.
I cordially greet and thank the President of the Republic
and the bishops of the Episcopal Conference for the invitation to visit
Colombia. I also thank each of you, who welcome me to your land and into your
heart. I know that you have worked so very hard to prepare this encounter. My
appreciation goes to all who have collaborated – and continue to – so that it
may become a reality.
“Let us take the first step” is the theme of this Journey.
It reminds us that a first step is always required for any activity or project.
It also urges us to be the first to love, in order to build bridges and create
solidarity. Taking the first step encourages us to reach out to our neighbor,
to extend a helping-hand, and to offer a sign of peace. Peace is what Colombia
has sought after for a long time, and she is working to achieve it: A stable
and lasting peace, so that we see and treat each other as brothers and not as
enemies. Peace reminds us that we are all children of the same Father, who
loves and consoles us. I am honored to visit this land so rich in history,
culture, and faith. [It is a land] of men and women who have labored with
tenacity and perseverance to make it a place where harmony and solidarity
reign, where the Gospel is known and loved, and where saying ‘brother and sister’
seems not out of place but a true treasure to protect and defend. Today’s world
needs specialists in peace and dialogue. The Church also is called to the task
of promoting reconciliation, both with the Lord and between brothers, as well
as reconciliation with the environment, which is God’s Creation and which we
are savagely exploiting.
My dear Colombian brothers and sisters, I yearn to live
these days with you with a joyous spirit and with gratitude to the Lord. I
warmly embrace you and ask the Lord to bless you, to protect your country, and
to give you peace. And I ask our Mother, the Holy Virgin, to watch over you.
And, please, don’t forget to pray for me. Thank you and see you soon.
(Devin Sean Watkins)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét