Pope in Mozambique praises peace
and encourages encounter
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| Pope Francis addresses Mozambique's authorities, the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society. |
Pope Francis addresses Authorities, members of the
Diplomatic Corps, and representatives of Civil Society, and encourages a culture
of encounter and a culture of peace.
By Vatican News
The beaches of Mozambique stretch for nearly 2,500
kilometers along the warm Indian Ocean, making it the 4th longest
coastline in the world. Nearly half of the nation’s land mass is covered by forests
that offer a unique biodiversity.
Perhaps that is why the Pope began his first official
address in Mozambique by describing the country as “blessed by natural beauty
and by a great cultural richness”.
Words of closeness and solidarity
His next words were of “closeness and solidarity” for all
those struck by cyclones Idai and Kenneth, “whose devastating effects continue
to be felt by so many families”. “Sadly, I will not be able to go personally to
visit you”, said Pope Francis, “but I want you to know of my own participation
in your anguish and suffering, and the commitment of the Catholic community to
respond to this most difficult situation”.
The cyclones hit Mozambique in March and April, leaving
hundreds of people dead and thousands homeless. Flooding and an outbreak of
cholera continue to affect over one million people.
Words of peace and reconciliation
But the Pope dedicated the greatest part of his discourse to
what he called “the efforts made in recent decades to ensure that peace is once
more the norm and reconciliation the best path to confront the difficulties and
challenges that you face as a nation”.
Pope Francis was referring to the peace agreement signed
just a month ago, guaranteeing a definitive cessation of military hostilities
between Mozambique government forces and those of the RENAMO opposition party.
The first agreement that ended a 17-year long civil war that killed over one
million people, was signed in Rome in 1992, with the mediation of the
Sant’Egidio lay movement.
“You have experienced suffering, sorrow and affliction”,
said the Pope, “but you have refused to let human relationships be governed by
vengeance or repression, or to allow hatred and violence to have the final
word”. Pope Francis confirmed how “the pursuit of lasting peace is a mission”,
one that depends on everyone and that calls for “strenuous, constant and
unremitting effort”.
Words of hope and encounter
Pope Francis went on to praise the advances made “in the
fields of education and health care”, and he encouraged the authorities present
“to ensure that no one feels abandoned, especially young people. These young
people “are not only the hope of this land”, said the Pope, “they are also its
present”. 45% of Mozambique’s population is under the age of 15.
The Pope also encouraged a “culture of encounter” that
acknowledges others, creates bonds, and builds bridges. Memory, he said, is “a
path opening up towards the future, leading to the attainment of common goals,
shared values and ideas that can help to overcome narrow corporate or partisan
interests”.
A nation greatly blessed
Pope Francis concluded by again describing Mozambique as “a
nation greatly blessed”. “You have a special responsibility to care for this
blessing”, he said. “Protection of the land is also the protection of life”. A
culture of peace, the Pope told his audience, “implies a productive,
sustainable and inclusive development, where all Mozambicans can feel that this
land is theirs, where they can establish relations of fraternity and equity
with their neighbours and all their surroundings”.
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