Bergoglio, after the Angelus, recalled the UN Conference on Climate Change, which is being held in Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22. He also recalled two extreme natural events: the floods in Valencia and the eruption of the Lewotobi volcano in Indonesia. The invitation to pray for peace “in the entire world.” In the commentary on today’s Gospel: authority is “maternal and paternal tenderness towards those in need.”
Vatican City () – “Just one question.” Which aims to stimulate reflection on the increasingly frequent extreme climate phenomena and on human solidarity. «Did they pray for Valencia? Did you think about making any contribution to help those people? As last time, today after praying the Angelus, Pope Francis addressed the faithful listeners, questioning them, drawing attention to the effects of Storm Dana, which claimed at least 223 lives. “I also renew my memory for the inhabitants of Valencia, and other parts of Spain, who are facing the consequences of the floods,” he said, recalling the launch three years ago of the Laudato Si’ action platform for home care. common.
“I thank all those who work in favor of this initiative,” continued the Pontiff, recalling that the instrument aims to be “a shared space in which the Church develops a determined and active response to the ecological crisis, so urgently illustrated in the encyclical.” “Laudato Si” by Pope Francis. Bergoglio’s second encyclical letter, published in 2015, remains more relevant than ever, reminding us of the urgency to act now. “In this sense, I hope that the Cop29 climate change conference, which will begin tomorrow in Baku, will contribute effectively to the protection of our common home,” he added, referring to the UN Climate Change Conference, which will be held from tomorrow, November 11 until the 22nd in the Azerbaijani capital.
«I am close to the people of the island of Flores, in Indonesia, affected by the eruption of a volcano. “I pray for the victims, their families and the displaced.” This is the memory expressed by the Holy Father for another natural event with tragic consequences: the eruption in recent days of the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano, in Indonesia, which caused ten victims, among them Sister Nikolin Padjo, Missionary Servant of the Holy Spirit, and numerous injured and displaced.
«The news coming from Mozambique is worrying. “I invite everyone to dialogue, tolerance and the tireless search for fair solutions.” Today, the gaze of the Bishop of Rome has been directed to international situations, and has also focused on Mozambique, where violence by the police and the army has claimed at least 30 lives during the protests that followed the elections of 9 October. The Mozambique Liberation Front party (Frelimo) was confirmed in power. “We pray for the entire Mozambican population, so that the current situation does not make them lose faith in the path of democracy, justice and peace,” he said.
Blessed Father José Torres Padilla, co-founder of the congregation of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, who was proclaimed yesterday in Seville, was also remembered. «He lived in 19th century Spain and distinguished himself as a priest confessor and spiritual guide, testifying to great charity towards those in need. May his example sustain priests above all in their ministry. Let us applaud the new blessed,” said Bergoglio, asking the faithful to celebrate the new beatification.
And there was no lack of an invitation to pray for peace “around the world”, in places at war where violence does not give way even to the most vulnerable people. “For the tormented Ukraine, where hospitals and other civilian buildings are also being attacked,” Bergoglio said. “And we also pray for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan.” Below, a thought about Thanksgiving, which the Italian Church celebrates today, and which is intended to be a time of gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and the previous year. “I express my gratitude to the agricultural world and encourage you to cultivate the land in a way that preserves its fertility also for future generations.”
Leaning out of the window of the apostolic palace, Pope Francis commented on the Gospel of the day (Mc 12:38-44). In the passage, Jesus, addressing the crowd in the temple, criticizes the inconsistency of the scribes. “These had been entrusted with an important role in the community of Israel: they read, transcribed and interpreted the Scriptures,” he said. “Some, in fact, strong in the prestige and power they enjoyed, looked at others ‘from above’,” he added, “and gave themselves airs of superiority and, hiding behind a façade of feigned respectability and legalism, they arrogated to themselves. privileges.”
“Jesus recommends staying away from these same people, being careful, not imitating them,” he continued. Stopping at the meaning of “authority” that Jesus wants to teach with his words. “He speaks of her in terms of selflessness and humble service, of maternal and paternal tenderness towards people, especially towards those most in need.” And again: “Jesus invites those who are invested with it to look at others, from their position of power, not to humiliate them, but to lift them up, giving them hope and help.” Finally, an invocation so that we can “do good without pretending and do it with simplicity”: “May the Virgin Mary help us combat the temptation of hypocrisy within us.” “Jesus tells them (the scribes, ed.) hypocrites: hypocrisy is a great temptation.”
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