‘Where there is no humility there is war, discord and division’

From San Pedro a new call for peace. The pontiff asked not to forget the “martyred Ukraine”, Israel, Palestine and Myanmar: these are “times of world war.” In the catechesis he spoke about the humility with which he concluded the cycle of reflections dedicated to vices and virtues. When he greeted a group of novices, he recalled the scarcity of vocations to consecrated life in Italy and invited them to pray.

Vatican City () – In the usual Wednesday general audience that took place in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis once again invited people to pray for peace. “We need peace. The world is at war,” were the lapidary words this morning, followed by the request not to forget the countries that suffer violence. “Let us not forget the martyred Ukraine, which is suffering a lot. Let’s not forget Palestine, Israel: let that war end. Let us not forget Myanmar.” Pope Francis, who on numerous occasions has spoken of a “world war in pieces,” today left aside the fragmentation and spoke only of “times of world war.”

Bergoglio also spoke of peace in the catechism he read at the beginning of the audience, dedicated to the virtue of humility. “Humility is a source of peace in the world and in the Church. Where there is no humility there is war, there is discord, there is division,” he stated. When he greeted the Italian-speaking pilgrims at the end of the meeting, he addressed the novices who were present, wishing them “the desire to adhere more and more to Christ” and drew attention to the shortage of vocations in Italy. “I see these novices and I wonder: how many are Italian? Few. There is a shortage of vocations in Italy. Let us think and pray for vocations to consecrated life.” After greeting the Center for Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Brindisi, the Pontiff encouraged health workers “to always put the human person at the center, especially in moments delicate aspects of life, such as illness.” He then addressed the young people and students: “May the Holy Spirit, whose presence in the Church we have remembered in the recent solemnity of Pentecost, always dwell in your hearts and help you to be strong in faith, generous in charity and persevering in hope.”

After reading in various languages ​​the passage taken from the Gospel of Matthew (Lk 1:46-48) in which Mary pronounces the Magnificat after the Angel’s announcement, Pope Francis shared a reflection with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. about the humility with which he concluded the cycle of catechesis that the Pontiff developed in recent weeks during the general audience on Wednesday, dedicated to the topic “Vices and virtues.” Humility is a virtue that is not part of the seven cardinal and theological virtues, but “is at the basis of the Christian life.” He explained that “it is the great antagonist of the most deadly of vices, that is, pride.” The Holy Father explained that “humility returns everything to its proper dimension,” preventing “delusions of omnipotence” from arising in the human heart. “To free ourselves from pride, very little would be enough; It would be enough to contemplate a starry sky to rediscover the right measure,” he added. A contemplation accompanied by the capacity of modern science to broaden the horizon, “and feel even more the mystery that surrounds us and inhabits us.”

Humility is closely related to the perception of one’s own “smallness.” People capable of recognizing it “are safe from an ugly vice: arrogance.” Jesus remembers it for the first time in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3), the Pope recalled. This first beatitude is the basis of all the others; and it is “the gateway to all virtues.” For example, the angel’s announcement takes place in a remote place, in Nazareth, not “at the gates of Jerusalem.” The “chosen heroine”, Maria, is not a famous person, but an “unknown young woman.” “God – so to speak – is attracted to the smallness of Mary, which is above all an interior smallness – stated the Pontiff -. And our littleness also attracts him, when we accept it.” He who is humble does not boast. Despite the difficulties, humility in Mary was a “granite virtue.” “The littleness that is the fruit of humility – he said in conclusion catechesis – is its invincible strength. It is she who remains at the foot of the cross while the illusion of a triumphant Messiah is shattered.”