FRANCIS PRAYS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MALAYSIAN AIRLINES TRAGEDY

Vatican City, 18 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father Francis has learned with dismay of the tragedy of the Malaysian Airlines aircraft downed in east Ukraine, a region marked by high tensions. He raises prayers for the numerous victims of the incident and for their relatives, and renews his heartfelt appeal to all parties in the conflict to seek peace and solutions through dialogue, in order to avoid further loss of innocent human lives.

BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS: KEY WORD OF THE MESSAGE FOR THE END OF RAMADAN

Vatican City, 18 July 2014 (VIS) – “Towards a genuine fraternity between Christians and Muslims” is the title of the message sent by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to mark the end of Ramadan ('Id al-Fitr 1435/2014 A.D.). The document is signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Fr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot M.C.C.J., respectively president and secretary of the dicastery.

“Last year, the first year of his ministry, Pope Francis personally signed the Message addressed to you on the occasion of ‘Id al-Fitr. On another occasion, he also called you 'our brothers and sisters' (Angelus, 11 August 2013). We all can recognize the full significance of these words. In fact, Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters in the one human family, created by the One God”.

The message goes on to recall the words of Saint John Paul II to Muslim religious leaders in Nigeria in 1982: “All of us, Christians and Muslims, live under the sun of the one merciful God. We both believe in one God who is the creator of man. We acclaim God's sovereignty and we defend man's dignity as God's servant. We adore God and profess total submission to him. Thus, in a true sense, we can call one another brothers and sisters in faith in the one God”.

“We thank the Almighty for what we have in common, while remaining aware of our differences”, the message continues. “We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person. We feel responsible in a particular way for those most in need: the poor, the sick, orphans, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and those suffering from any kind of addiction”.

“As we know, our contemporary world faces grave challenges which call for solidarity on the part of all people of good will. These include threats to the environment, the crisis of the global economy and high levels of unemployment particularly among young people. Such situations give rise to a sense of vulnerability and a lack of hope for the future. Let us also not forget the problems faced by so many families which have been separated, leaving behind loved ones and often small children. Let us work together, then, to build bridges of peace and promote reconciliation especially in areas where Muslims and Christians together suffer the horror of war”.

The document concludes by expressing the hope that our friendship may “inspire us always to cooperate in facing these many challenges with wisdom and prudence. In this way we will help to diminish tension and conflict, and advance the common good. We will also demonstrate that religions can be a source of harmony for the benefit of society as a whole. Let us pray that reconciliation, justice, peace and development will remain uppermost among our priorities, for the welfare and good of the whole human family. Together with Pope Francis, we are happy to send you our cordial best wishes for a joyful celebration and a life of prosperity in peace”.

POPE TO VISIT CASERTA ON SATURDAY 26 AND MONDAY 28 JULY

Vatican City, 17 July 2014 (VIS) – Pope Francis will visit the city of Italian city of Caserta on 26 and 28 July, the Holy See Press Office confirmed today. In the afternoon of Saturday 26, upon invitation by the bishop of the diocese Giovanni D'Avise, he will meet with the Catholics of the city and celebrate the Mass of St. Ann, probably in the park of the Royal Palace of Caserta. The Holy Father will return to the Vatican that night and on Sunday 27 he will pray the Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter's Square, as usual. On Monday, 28 July, he will return to Caserta to pay a private visit to his friend, the Protestant pastor Giovanni Traettino, and his community.

POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES AN AUTOGRAPHED “ALBICELESTE” SHIRT

Vatican City, 17 July 2014 (VIS) – The players of the Argentine national football team have given Pope Francis an “Albiceleste” shirt signed by all the members of the team. Although Argentina fell at the final hurdle during the final of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, losing 1:0 to Germany in extra time, the team said they were confident the Pope thought of them throughout the tournament.

A large-scale wall photo of the team with the Pope was installed by the Asociacion de Futbol Argentino (AFA) at the Brazilian sports complex where the team trained during the World Cup, a snapshot taken when the team visited Pope Francis in the Vatican, on the occasion of the friendly match against Italy in his honour.

IN MEMORIAM

Vatican City, 17 July 2014 (VIS) – The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Guy Gaucher O.C.D., auxiliary emeritus of Bayeux-Lisieux, France, on 3 July at the age of 84.

- Bishop John Jobst, S.A.C., emeritus of Broome, Australia, at the age of 94.

- Bishop Estanislau Amadeu Kreutz, emeritus of Santo Angelo, Brazil, on 6 July at the age of 86.

- Bishop Guillermo Leaden, S.D.B., auxiliary emeritus of Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 100.

- Bishop Pietro Nonis, emeritus of Vicenza, Italy, at the age of 87.