Vatican City, 21 September 2014 (VIS) –
Before the end of this Sunday's liturgy, Francis greeted those
present from Albania and other neighbouring countries to thank them
for their presence and for their witness of faith, and addressed the
young in particular. “They say that Albania is the youngest country
in Europe”, he commented, smiling, and invited them to “confirm
[their] existence in Jesus Christ”.
“He who builds on Christ builds on
rock, because He is always faithful, even if we sometimes lack
faith”, continued the Holy Father. “Jesus knows us better than
anyone else; when we sin, He does not condemn us but rather says to
us, 'Go and sin no more'. Dear young people, you are the new
generation of Albania, the future of your homeland. With the power of
the Gospel and the example of your antecedents and the martyrs, know
how to say 'No' to the idolatry of money, 'No' to the false freedom
of individualism, 'No' to addiction and to violence; say 'Yes' to a
culture of encounter and of solidarity, 'Yes' to the beauty that is
inseparable from the good and the true; 'Yes' to a life lived with
great enthusiasm and at the same time faithful in little things. In
this way, you will build a better Albania and a better world”.
Before the Angelus prayer, the Pope
invoked the Virgin Mary, venerated in Albania above all as “Our
Lady of Good Counsel”. “I stand before her, spiritually, at her
Shrine in Scutari, so dear to you, and to her I entrust the entire
Church in Albania and all the people of this country, especially
families, children and the elderly, who are the living memory of the
people. May Our Lady guide you to walk together with God towards the
hope that never disappoints”.
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