Pope writes very personal letter
to fellow Argentinians
 |
| Seen in the capital Buenos Aires, a billboard featuring Argentine native Pope Francis.- AFP |
In a letter thanking the people of Argentina for their good
wishes on the 5th anniversary of his election, Pope Francis speaks of his love
for his country and asks forgiveness of those he may have offended.
By Seàn-Patrick Lovett
The letter, which is written in Spanish, is essentially a
thank you note for the greetings and prayers he received from the people of
Argentina on the 5th anniversary of his election to the papacy.
These expressions of goodwill came not only from the country’s authorities but,
in Pope Francis’ own words, “from people of different religious, political and
ideological backgrounds”.
Prayers and asking forgiveness
In the second paragraph of the letter, which was made public
by the Argentine Bishops’ Conference at the Pope’s request, Pope Francis adds a
very personal note when he speaks of his “great and intense” love of his
country for which, he says, “I pray every day”. He goes on to ask forgiveness
of “those who may be offended by some of my gestures”. “Although God entrusted
me with such an important task, and helps me”, explains the Pope, “He did not
free me from human frailty”.
Participating in his mission
Pope Francis invites his fellow Argentinians to participate
in his mission, when he suggests: “If ever you are pleased about things I do
well, I want you to feel like they are your own. You are my people, the people
who trained me, prepared me, and offered me to serve others… Remember the Lord
has called one of you to bring a message of faith, mercy, and fraternity to
many corners of the earth”.
The Pope then asks all Argentinians to be “channels of
goodness and beauty, so that you can make your contribution in the defense of
life and justice”, sowing peace and fraternity, improving the world, and taking
care of the weakest.
One last request
Pope Francis concludes the letter with his usual request for
prayers, but with one distinction: “As always”, he writes, “I ask those who
have faith to pray for me – and those who do not have faith, I beg you to wish
me good things… With the affection of a brother and father, Francisco”.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét