Pope Francis meets with Italian
Civil Protection Service
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| Pope Francis greets members of the National Civil Protection Services of Italy.(Vatican Media) |
On Saturday, the Holy Father received members of Italy’s
National Civil Protection Service in audience at the Vatican.
By Christopher Wells
In an audience with members of Italy’s civil protection
service, Pope Francis remembered victims of disasters, as well as aid workers
who gave their lives in order to save the lives of others.
Commitment and generosity
The National Service of Civil Protection in Italy has the
duty of protecting life, property, and the environment from damage arising from
disasters. In his address to workers and volunteers involved in civil
protection, the Holy Father acknowledged their “commitment and generosity,”
which ensures the effectiveness of the system of public solidarity “for the
defence of individual and collective security.”
Pope Francis reminded those present that civil protection
involves not only responding to emergencies as they occur, but also of working
to predict and prevent disasters, and of assisting survivors as they attempt to
return to normal in the wake of disasters.
Importance of education
In this regard, the Pope emphasized the importance of
educational initiatives directed towards children and young people, who will be
the citizens and volunteers of the future. “I always tell young people,” he
said, “ to commit themselves to loving and protecting nature, and to spreading
the value of coexistence in a world of greater solidarity” – which will
contribute to making the world a safer place.
Finally, Pope Francis recognized that civil protection “is
increasing called upon to operate outside national borders, is an organised
system based on the principle of subsidiarity.” This, he said, is a distinctive
feature of civil protection, which “could inspire other sectors of public
life.” “Gathering rapidly around a table in order to agree on and implement
effective choices, overcoming individualism in view of a shared objective, can
become the method to respond more appropriately to the needs of the population
in the perspective of the common good.”
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