Vatican City, 25 May 2014 (VIS) –
After proposing the Vatican as the the location for a prayer meeting
between the presidents of the State of Palestine and the State of
Israel, Pope Francis prayed the Regina Coeli, commenting that it was
precisely there in Bethlehem that Mary gave birth to her Son Jesus
and that the Virgin “is the one who, more than any other person,
contemplated God in the human face of Jesus. Assisted by Saint
Joseph, she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the
manger”.
“To Mary we entrust this land and all
who dwell here, that they may live in justice, peace and fraternity”,
he said. “We entrust also the pilgrims who come here to draw from
the sources of the Christian faith – so many of them are also
present at this Holy Mass. Mary, watch over our families, our young
people and our elderly. Watch over those who have lost faith and
hope. Comfort the sick, the imprisoned and all who suffer. Watch over
the Church’s Pastors and the entire community of believers; may
they may be 'salt and light' in this blessed land. Sustain all
educational initiatives, particularly Bethlehem University”.
“Contemplating the Holy Family here
in Bethlehem, my thoughts turn spontaneously to Nazareth, which I
hope to visit, God willing, on another occasion. From this place I
embrace with affection the Christian faithful living in Galilee and I
express my support for the building of the International Centre for
the Family in Nazareth. We entrust the future of our human family to
Mary Most Holy, that new horizons may open in our world, with the
promise of fraternity, solidarity and peace”.
After the Regina Coeli, the Pope
proceeded to the Franciscan “Casa Nova” convent, a reception
centre for pilgrims, built in 1908 and extended and blessed in 1986,
which is able to host up to 129 people. There, Francis dined with
several families of refugees and Palestinian homeless.
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