Vatican City, 24 May 2015 (VIS) –
Following today's Regina Coeli the Pope voiced his concern and
suffering for the fate of the many refugees stranded at sea in the
Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, expressing his appreciation for
the efforts made by those countries which “have shown their
willingness to welcome these people who face great suffering and
danger”, and urged the international community to offer
humanitarian aid.
He went on to recall that today marks
the centenary of Italy's entry into the First World War, “that
senseless slaughter”. “Let us pray for the victims”, he said,
“asking the Holy Spirit for the gift of peace”.
He also mentioned the beatification
yesterday of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador and the Italian
religious sister Irene Stefanini in Kenya. “The first was killed in
hatred of the faith as he celebrated the Eucharist”, he remarked.
“This zealous pastor, following Jesus' example, chose to stay among
his people, especially the poor and oppressed, even at the cost of
his own life. Sister Irene Stefanini, Missionary of Consolation,
served the Kenyan population with joy, mercy and tender compassion.
May the example of these blesseds inspire in every one of us the wish
to bear witness to the Gospel with courage and self-sacrifice”.
Finally, on the feast day of Mary Help
of Christians, he greeted the Salesian community, asking that the
Lord might give them the strength to continue in their work in the
spirit of St. John Bosco.
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