Vatican City, 16 February 2015 (VIS) -
“I am grateful for your commitment to serving the poor. The growing
number of marginalised people living in situations of extreme
precariousness is a fact that calls to us and demands zealous
solidarity to offer them the material and spiritual support they
need”, said the Pope this morning, as he received in audience the
members of the Pro Petri Sede Association, on their pilgrimage to the
tombs of the Apostles in these days. “At the same time, we have
much to receive from the poor whom we encounter and assist”, he
added. “In the throes of difficulty, they are often witnesses to
the essential, to family values; they are able to share with those
who are poorer than them, and to rejoice in it. … Indifference and
self-centredness are always on the increase. Care for the poor
enriches us by setting us on a path of humility and truth”.
Francis encouraged them to pray to the
Lord, especially during the Lenten time that is about to begin, to
ask Him to give them a merciful and poor heart, that knows its own
poverty and offers itself to others. He mentioned their valuable work
in assisting the neediest populations throughout the world, offering
them spiritual consolation so that they do not feel forgotten in
their difficulties and retain hope. He also invited them to pray
fervently for peace, “so that political leaders may find ways of
dialogue and reconciliation”, and concluded by expressing his hope
that their pilgrimage might increase in every one of them “the
sense of belonging to the Church, which is a great family, and the
joy of announcing the Gospel to all. May fraternity be strengthened
among you, so you may carry out your mission in the service of the
poor and the least, for whom Jesus has a special predilection”.
Before concluding, the Pope added some
impromptu words regarding the Benelux countries, which “have filled
the world with missionaries. Today they face a vocational crisis. I
would like to ask you to knock on the door of Jesus' heart and ask
Him not to forget the generosity that these two countries had in
other times. May He send vocations to Benelux, so that the life of
faith may grow further. You work with the poor and love the poor, but
think also of those who are poor in faith, who have no faith because
there is no-one to preach it to them. May the Lord send priests to
announce the faith. And please, pray for vocations in your
countries”.
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