From the Paul VI Hall the appeal for the country after the fall of Bashar al Assad’s regime: ‘The Syrian people can live in peace and security in their beloved land’, religions ‘can walk together in mutual respect’. This morning also the meeting with the non-profit organization ResQ – People Saving People: “Migrants must be welcomed and integrated.” He concluded the cycle of catechesis on the Holy Spirit: “If the Church is a ship, the Spirit is the sail that propels it.”
Vatican City () – The advance of the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al Sham that put an end to 24 years of a regime characterized by violence and violations of rights, the flight of President Bashar al Assad, the joy of a people released, Israeli bombs on military depots. The destiny of a country all to be rewritten. “I am following what is happening in Syria, at this delicate moment in its history,” Pope Francis said this morning in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, where the Wednesday general audience was held, during the final greetings addressed to the Italian-speaking faithful. “I hope that a political solution is reached that, without further conflicts and divisions, responsibly promotes the stability and unity of the country,” he added.
He then dedicated a thought to the Syrian population, which comprises a large community of more than 6.2 million refugees, residing mainly in Turkey (more than 3 million), Lebanon, Germany and Jordan, according to UNHCR data from 2024. “I pray for the intercession of the Virgin Mary so that the Syrian people may experience peace and security in their beloved land,” said Bergoglio, who then spoke of the need for unity among religions in this time of sudden change. “May the different religions walk together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of that nation, afflicted by so many years of war,” was a high wish expressed today.
Another thought for the many other countries in the world at war was not long in coming. «I always think of the tormented Ukraine, which is suffering so much from this war. Let us pray for a way out,” said Pope Francis, wishing for a commitment to turn the page on the conflict in Europe. «And I think of Palestine, of Israel, of Myanmar. May peace return, may there be peace. War is always a defeat. Let us pray for peace.” Before the hearing, Bergoglio met in the Aula Nervi studio with a delegation from the non-profit organization ResQ – People Saving People, whom he congratulated for its “meritorious action” in favor of migrants in the Mediterranean and along the Balkan route. People whose lives reflect “conflicts, which often trigger humanitarian crises and also involve the violation of rights.” ResQ’s action demonstrates that “every human being is unique and their dignity is inviolable,” Francisco said. “The migrant must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated.”
At the beginning of the audience, before the pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis read the last catechesis of the cycle dedicated to the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the “bride”, that is, the Church. Today’s reflection was dedicated to the title of the entire cycle: «The Spirit and the Bride. “The Holy Spirit leads the People of God towards Jesus, our Hope.” As a biblical reference, pronounced in different languages - including Chinese – a passage from the Apocalypse was read (Rev 22,17.20), from which comes the verse that inspired the entire series of meditations: “The Spirit and the Bride say: ” Come!” (Rev 22:17), “directed to Christ.” “In that very ancient phase, the invocation had a background that today we would call eschatological,” explained Bergoglio. “It expressed, in effect, the ardent expectation of the glorious return of the Lord.” A wait that, however, is not lonely. “To it was also added the expectation of his continuous coming in the present and pilgrim situation of the Church.”
Since then, there has been a “meaningful” change in history. «It (the cry of invocation, ed.) is not usually addressed only to Christ, but also to the Holy Spirit himself! “He who shouts is now also the One who is shouted at,” added the pontiff. “Come!” It is, in fact, also the invocation that comes before the hymns and prayers of the Church addressed to the Holy Spirit. «It is He who ‘announces what is to come’ (cf. Jn 16:13) and makes us desire it and hope for it. That is why Christ and the Spirit are inseparable, also in the economy of salvation. “If the Church is a boat, the Holy Spirit is the sail that propels it and makes it advance in the sea of history, today as yesterday,” he continued. Then, speaking of hope, of which the Holy Spirit is “the fountain that always springs forth,” he said that “it is not an empty word,” but rather a “certainty, because it is founded on God’s fidelity to his promises.” At the same time, it is not enough to possess it: «The Christian cannot be content with having hope; He must also radiate hope, be a sower of hope. “This is the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all humanity, especially at times when everything seems to push the candles to dim.”
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