At 7:50am this morning local time (1:50am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis departed from the Vatican and flew by helicopter to the earthquake zone in the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche.
Upon his arrival, at 8:40am local time (2:40am EDT), inside the Sports Centre at the University of Camerino, in Calvie, the Pope was welcomed by the Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino Marche, His Excellency, Francesco Massara; as well as the President of the Marche Region, Doctor Luca Ceriscioli; the Prefect of Macerata, Doctor Iolanda Rolli; the President of the Province of Macerata, Doctor Antonio Pettinari; the Mayor of Camerino, Doctor Sandro Sborgia; and the Rector of the University of Camerino, Professor Claudio Pettinari. Then, the Holy Father visited the emergency shelter and the families who currently live there, in the Cortine area. After having visited with some of the families, the Pope offered unscripted greetings to those who were gathered outside the shelter. Afterwards, His Holiness visited the Cathedral and met the Mayors of the Comunes that are part of the Archdiocese.
At 10:00am local time (4:00am EDT) in Piazza Cavour, the Holy Father presided over the Eucharistic celebration and spoke the homily. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, after some words of greeting offered by the Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino Marche, His Excellency, Francesco Massara, the Pope led the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who were present.
At the conclusion, the Pope travelled aboard a golf cart to the Church of Santa Maria in Via for a brief visit. Then, he travelled by car to the San Paolo Community Centre where he shared lunch with priests of the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche.
In the afternoon, before departing by helicopter for his return to the Vatican, near the University of Camerino gymnasium, the Holy Father briefly greeted some children from the Archdiocese who have celebrated First Communion.
What is man that you remember him? We prayed these words in the Psalm (Ps 8:5). These words came to my mind as I was thinking of you. Faced with what you have seen and suffered, in front of collapsed houses and buildings reduced to rubble, this question appears: what is man? What is he, if what you build can collapse in an instant? What is he if his hopes can end in dust? What is man? The answer seems to come from the continuation of the sentence: what is man because you remember him? God remembers us, as we are, with our frailties, God remembers. In the uncertainty that we feel outside and inside, the Lord gives us certainty: He remembers us. He is re-corded, that is, he returns with his heart to us, because we care about Him. And while too many things are quickly forgotten here, God does not leave us in oblivion. No one is contemptible in his eyes, each has an infinite value for him: we are small under heaven and powerless when the earth trembles, but for God we are more precious than anything else.
Remember is a key word for life. We ask for the grace to remember every day that we are not forgotten by God, that we are his beloved children, unique and irreplaceable: remembering this gives us the strength not to give up when we are faced with the setbacks of life. We remember how much we are worth, in the face of the temptation to be sad and to continue digging up the worst that seems to never end. Bad memories arrive, even when we don't think about them; but they pay a terrible price: they leave only melancholy and nostalgia. But how difficult it is to free yourself from bad memories! That saying is valid, according to which it was easier for God to get Israel out of Egypt than it was to get Egypt out of the heart of Israel.
To free our hearts from the past that returns, from the negative memories that keep prisoners, from regrets that paralyze, we need someone to help us carry the weights that we have inside. Today Jesus says that we are not capable of bearing the burden of many things (cf Jn 16:12). And what does he do in the face of our weakness? He does not take away the burdens, as we would like, while we are always looking for quick and superficial solutions; no, the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit. We need Him because he is the Comforter, the One who does not leave us alone under the burdens of life. It is He who transforms our enslaved memory into free memory, our wounds of the past into memories of salvation. The Comforter does in us what he has done for Jesus: his wounds, those ugly wounds carved by evil, through the power of the Holy Spirit have become channels of mercy, luminous wounds in which God's love shines, a love that rises, that resurrects. This is what the Holy Spirit does when we invite Him into our wounds. He anoints bad memories with the balm of hope, because the Holy Spirit is the rebuilder of hope.
Hope. What hope is this? It is not a passing hope. Earthly hopes are fleeting, they always have an expiration date: they are made of earthy ingredients, which sooner or later go bad. The Spirit's hope is a long-lasting hope. It does not expire, because it is based on the fidelity of God. The hope of the Spirit is not even optimism. Born deeper, it rekindles at the bottom of the heart the certainty of being precious because we are loved. It instills the confidence of not being alone. It is a hope that leaves peace and joy inside, regardless of what happens outside. It is a hope that has strong roots, which no storm of life can uproot. It is a hope, says Saint Paul today, that does not disappoint (Rom 5: 5) - hope does not disappoint! -, which gives us the strength to overcome all tribulations (Rom 5:2-3). When we are troubled or wounded - and you know well what it means to be troubled and wounded -, we are led to nest around our sadness and our fears. The Spirit, on the other hand, frees us from our nests, makes us take flight, discloses to us the wonderful destiny for which we were born. The Spirit feeds us with living hope. Invite him. Let us ask him to come to us and he will come near. Come, Comforter Spirit! Come give us some light, help us to make sense of this tragedy, give us the hope that does not disappoint. Come, Holy Spirit!
Proximity is the third and final word I would like to share with you. Today we celebrate the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is not a theological puzzle, but the splendid mystery of God's closeness. The Trinity tells us that we do not have a solitary God up there in heaven, distant and indifferent; no, he is the Father who gave us his Son, who became man like us, and who, in order to be even closer to us, to help us carry the burdens of life, sends us his own Spirit. He, who is Spirit, comes into our spirit and so he consoles us from within, he brings the tenderness of God within us. With God the burdens of life do not remain on our shoulders: the Spirit, whom we name every time we make the sign of the cross just as we touch our shoulders, comes to give us strength, to encourage us, to support the weights that weigh us down. In fact, he is a specialist in resurrecting, raising and rebuilding. It takes more strength to repair than to build, to start over and start again, to reconcile and to agree. This is the strength that God gives us. Therefore whoever comes close to God does not come down, he goes on: he starts again, he tries again, he rebuilds. He also suffers, but manages to start over, to try again, to rebuild.
Dear brothers and sisters, I have come today simply to be near to you; I am here to pray with you, God remembers us, because no one else remembers those who are in trouble. I pray to the God of hope, so that what is unstable on earth does not shake the certainty we have inside. I pray to the God who is near, to stir up concrete gestures of closeness. Almost three years have passed and the risk is that, after the initial emotions and media involvement, people's attention will drop and the promises will end up on the back burner, increasing the frustration of those who see the territory becoming more and more crowded. Instead, the Lord pushes us to remember, to repair, to rebuild, and to do it together, without ever forgetting those who suffer.
What is man that you remember him? God who remembers us, God who heals our wounded memories by anointing them with hope, God who is close to us to rise from within, this God helps us to be builders of goodness, consolers of hearts. Everyone can do a little good, without waiting for others to start. I'll start, I'll start, I'll start: everyone has to say this. Everyone can console someone, without waiting for his problems to be solved. Even carrying my cross, I try to get closer, to console others. What is man? This is your big dream, Lord, that you always remember. Man is your great dream, Lord, who you always remember. It is not easy to understand this in these circumstances, Lord. Men forget about us, they don't remember this tragedy. But you, Lord, do not forget yourself. Man is your great dream Lord, which you always remember. Lord, let us also remember that we are in the world to give hope and closeness, because we are your children, God of all consolation (2 Cor 1: 3).
Original text in Italian
Yesterday, in Pozzomaggiore, in Sardinia, Edvige Carboni was proclaimed Blessed. She was a simple woman of the people who embraced the Cross in her humble everyday life, bearing witness to faith and charity. We give thanks for this faithful disciple of Christ, who spent all her life in the service of God and neighbour. A round of applause for the new Blessed, everyone!
We want to remember refugees in particular, on the occasion of the World Day that the United Nations dedicates to them. This anniversary invites everyone to solidarity with men, women and children fleeing wars, persecution and violations of fundamental rights. May our ecclesial and civil communities be close to them and attentive to their needs and sufferings.
I am also following with concern the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf. I urge everyone to use diplomacy tools to solve the complex problems of conflicts in the Middle East. I also renew a heartfelt appeal to the international community to make every effort possible to foster dialogue and peace.
At the end of this celebration, I cordially greet all of you present here. I extend my greeting with affection to the sick, to the elderly, to prisoners, and to all those who, through radio and television, have united spiritually to this Holy Mass. I express my heartfelt thanks to all those - institutions, organizations, associations and individuals - who have worked for my brief but intense visit, generously collaborating with the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche. I would like to send a special greeting and encouragement to the inhabitants of San Severino Marche; I will greet their city from above by helicopter.
Dear brothers and sisters, may you walk together in the path of faith, hope and charity, faithful to the many testimonies of holiness with which your land is enriched. Among others, I think of San Venanzio, San Severino, Sant’Ansovino, San Nicola da Tolentino, San Pacifico, and Beata Battista Varano. I am also thinking of the numerous figures of saints next door who are not beatified or canonized, but who have supported - and still argue - and transformed families and communities with the strength of their Christian life.
And now let us recite together the prayer of the Angelus. I entrust the entire Diocesan Community to the Holy Virgin, whom you venerate in numerous Shrines and whom you invoke especially with the title of Santa Maria in Via. May she, who animated the first community of Jesus' disciples with her motherly presence, also help the Church today to give good witness to the Gospel.
Angelus Domini ...
Original text in Italian
Good morning!
Good morning to all of you. I would have liked to visit all the houses, every house ... But it is not possible and for this reason, I greet you from here and I give my blessing to all of you. I am close to each of you. I'm close. And I pray for you, that this situation will be resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and courage. You pray for me. Now I will come down to greet you.
Holy Father, I am very emotional as I speak with you because I know that you are listening.
My name is Giovanni, I am 10 years old and this year I will receive First Communion. I came back to live in Camerino after having spend an entire year in San Benedetto del Tronto because on the evening of 26 October 2016, there was an earthquake that, in addition to much damage, caused the collapse of the bell tower outside the church of Santa Maria in Via, where my sister Giulia and I were baptized. Since that day, our city is no longer the same: the houses are still ruined and you can only enter those places with a protective helmet and with the assistance of the Fire Brigade.
Our habits have changed, the faces of citizens are sad and many people have moved to other municipalities. Sometimes, even a small sudden movement makes us still feel very afraid, but we always give ourselves a lot of courage. Over the centuries, our city has had several earthquakes, some devastating, so much so that the coat of arms of Camerino depicts three houses, the only ones left standing.
On May 18, our bishop Francesco Massara explained to us that San Venanzio is also called the saint of the falls, from which he was always saved; and on that occasion he announced to us that the Basilica of San Venanzio will be renovated in December and returned to the faithful. It is an important sign of recovery. I like to think that with the help of his prayers Camerino will always get up again from every fall and that our patron will hold our city in his hand, protecting all its inhabitants.
Pope Francis
Good afternoon!
One question: are you tired?
(the children answer): No!
Pope Francis
Are you warm?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Too warm! When it is too warm, we get tired, no? Yes or no?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Are you tired ...
(they answer): Yes ... no ...
Pope Francis
I thank you very much for waiting for me. Thank you! Thank you!
Have you eaten?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Yes? Good. It is important that you eat, in order to grow ...
There is one thing that concerns the earthquake, something that Giovanni said, which makes you think: when things fall, should we leave them like this? Fallen?
(they respond): No ...
Pope Francis
Louder!
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
We have to get back up. And when a person falls, because he has made mistakes in life, do we have to let him fall for life?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
We should help him get back up. And when we - this is a difficult question, let's see if one of you can answer -, when we have made some terrible mistakes in life, committed some sins, and we have fallen down, what should we do?
(they respond): Go to confession.
Pope Francis
We should get back up! But isn't it better to remain on the ground?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Isn't that easier?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Do we always have to get back up?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Always?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And if you fall a second time?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall a third time?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall ten times?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall fifty times?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
Always! But I think: a person who falls, falls, falls ... Maybe Jesus gets annoyed with such people ... Does Jesus get annoyed wth us?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
No. But if we fall many times, does Jesus get annoyed?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
No. What does Jesus do, when we fall?
(they respond): He helps us to get back up.
Pope Francis
How does Jesus help us? He gives you his hand to help you back up. He pulls you up. He pulls you up: Jesus pulls us up. Always keep this memory in life. It will always help you. When I'm down, I have fallen so many times, I don't know, think that Jesus is always there with his outstretched hand. Why? To help…? To help us get up again. Jesus picks us up? Do you understand?
(they respond slowly): Yes ...
Pope Francis
Ah ... It seems that you are not convinced. Does Jesus help us to get back up?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Always?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And does Jesus get annoyed with us?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
He is good ... he is always waiting for us! Jesus is merciful. This is a difficult word, no? What is mercy? It is the love that Jesus has for us. Do you understand?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Alright, everyone stand up!
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Now I want to give you my blessing, but if you are tired I can leave ...
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
I will give you my blessing now. But let us pray to Our Lady, all of us, because she is the mother of Jesus and also our mother and she also helps us to get back up.
Hail Mary ...
(Blessing)
Pope Francis
And ... what was that thing? When someone has fallen, should he remain lying down? ...
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Are you sure?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And who helps us to get back up?
(they respond): Jesus!
Pope Francis
There. Always be brave! Look to Jesus, and He will always help you. Be courageous. Pray for me and continue playing. Good bye!
Upon his arrival, at 8:40am local time (2:40am EDT), inside the Sports Centre at the University of Camerino, in Calvie, the Pope was welcomed by the Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino Marche, His Excellency, Francesco Massara; as well as the President of the Marche Region, Doctor Luca Ceriscioli; the Prefect of Macerata, Doctor Iolanda Rolli; the President of the Province of Macerata, Doctor Antonio Pettinari; the Mayor of Camerino, Doctor Sandro Sborgia; and the Rector of the University of Camerino, Professor Claudio Pettinari. Then, the Holy Father visited the emergency shelter and the families who currently live there, in the Cortine area. After having visited with some of the families, the Pope offered unscripted greetings to those who were gathered outside the shelter. Afterwards, His Holiness visited the Cathedral and met the Mayors of the Comunes that are part of the Archdiocese.
At 10:00am local time (4:00am EDT) in Piazza Cavour, the Holy Father presided over the Eucharistic celebration and spoke the homily. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, after some words of greeting offered by the Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino Marche, His Excellency, Francesco Massara, the Pope led the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who were present.
At the conclusion, the Pope travelled aboard a golf cart to the Church of Santa Maria in Via for a brief visit. Then, he travelled by car to the San Paolo Community Centre where he shared lunch with priests of the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche.
In the afternoon, before departing by helicopter for his return to the Vatican, near the University of Camerino gymnasium, the Holy Father briefly greeted some children from the Archdiocese who have celebrated First Communion.
Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
during the Mass celebrated in Piazza Cavour
What is man that you remember him? We prayed these words in the Psalm (Ps 8:5). These words came to my mind as I was thinking of you. Faced with what you have seen and suffered, in front of collapsed houses and buildings reduced to rubble, this question appears: what is man? What is he, if what you build can collapse in an instant? What is he if his hopes can end in dust? What is man? The answer seems to come from the continuation of the sentence: what is man because you remember him? God remembers us, as we are, with our frailties, God remembers. In the uncertainty that we feel outside and inside, the Lord gives us certainty: He remembers us. He is re-corded, that is, he returns with his heart to us, because we care about Him. And while too many things are quickly forgotten here, God does not leave us in oblivion. No one is contemptible in his eyes, each has an infinite value for him: we are small under heaven and powerless when the earth trembles, but for God we are more precious than anything else.
Remember is a key word for life. We ask for the grace to remember every day that we are not forgotten by God, that we are his beloved children, unique and irreplaceable: remembering this gives us the strength not to give up when we are faced with the setbacks of life. We remember how much we are worth, in the face of the temptation to be sad and to continue digging up the worst that seems to never end. Bad memories arrive, even when we don't think about them; but they pay a terrible price: they leave only melancholy and nostalgia. But how difficult it is to free yourself from bad memories! That saying is valid, according to which it was easier for God to get Israel out of Egypt than it was to get Egypt out of the heart of Israel.
To free our hearts from the past that returns, from the negative memories that keep prisoners, from regrets that paralyze, we need someone to help us carry the weights that we have inside. Today Jesus says that we are not capable of bearing the burden of many things (cf Jn 16:12). And what does he do in the face of our weakness? He does not take away the burdens, as we would like, while we are always looking for quick and superficial solutions; no, the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit. We need Him because he is the Comforter, the One who does not leave us alone under the burdens of life. It is He who transforms our enslaved memory into free memory, our wounds of the past into memories of salvation. The Comforter does in us what he has done for Jesus: his wounds, those ugly wounds carved by evil, through the power of the Holy Spirit have become channels of mercy, luminous wounds in which God's love shines, a love that rises, that resurrects. This is what the Holy Spirit does when we invite Him into our wounds. He anoints bad memories with the balm of hope, because the Holy Spirit is the rebuilder of hope.
Hope. What hope is this? It is not a passing hope. Earthly hopes are fleeting, they always have an expiration date: they are made of earthy ingredients, which sooner or later go bad. The Spirit's hope is a long-lasting hope. It does not expire, because it is based on the fidelity of God. The hope of the Spirit is not even optimism. Born deeper, it rekindles at the bottom of the heart the certainty of being precious because we are loved. It instills the confidence of not being alone. It is a hope that leaves peace and joy inside, regardless of what happens outside. It is a hope that has strong roots, which no storm of life can uproot. It is a hope, says Saint Paul today, that does not disappoint (Rom 5: 5) - hope does not disappoint! -, which gives us the strength to overcome all tribulations (Rom 5:2-3). When we are troubled or wounded - and you know well what it means to be troubled and wounded -, we are led to nest around our sadness and our fears. The Spirit, on the other hand, frees us from our nests, makes us take flight, discloses to us the wonderful destiny for which we were born. The Spirit feeds us with living hope. Invite him. Let us ask him to come to us and he will come near. Come, Comforter Spirit! Come give us some light, help us to make sense of this tragedy, give us the hope that does not disappoint. Come, Holy Spirit!
Proximity is the third and final word I would like to share with you. Today we celebrate the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is not a theological puzzle, but the splendid mystery of God's closeness. The Trinity tells us that we do not have a solitary God up there in heaven, distant and indifferent; no, he is the Father who gave us his Son, who became man like us, and who, in order to be even closer to us, to help us carry the burdens of life, sends us his own Spirit. He, who is Spirit, comes into our spirit and so he consoles us from within, he brings the tenderness of God within us. With God the burdens of life do not remain on our shoulders: the Spirit, whom we name every time we make the sign of the cross just as we touch our shoulders, comes to give us strength, to encourage us, to support the weights that weigh us down. In fact, he is a specialist in resurrecting, raising and rebuilding. It takes more strength to repair than to build, to start over and start again, to reconcile and to agree. This is the strength that God gives us. Therefore whoever comes close to God does not come down, he goes on: he starts again, he tries again, he rebuilds. He also suffers, but manages to start over, to try again, to rebuild.
Dear brothers and sisters, I have come today simply to be near to you; I am here to pray with you, God remembers us, because no one else remembers those who are in trouble. I pray to the God of hope, so that what is unstable on earth does not shake the certainty we have inside. I pray to the God who is near, to stir up concrete gestures of closeness. Almost three years have passed and the risk is that, after the initial emotions and media involvement, people's attention will drop and the promises will end up on the back burner, increasing the frustration of those who see the territory becoming more and more crowded. Instead, the Lord pushes us to remember, to repair, to rebuild, and to do it together, without ever forgetting those who suffer.
What is man that you remember him? God who remembers us, God who heals our wounded memories by anointing them with hope, God who is close to us to rise from within, this God helps us to be builders of goodness, consolers of hearts. Everyone can do a little good, without waiting for others to start. I'll start, I'll start, I'll start: everyone has to say this. Everyone can console someone, without waiting for his problems to be solved. Even carrying my cross, I try to get closer, to console others. What is man? This is your big dream, Lord, that you always remember. Man is your great dream, Lord, who you always remember. It is not easy to understand this in these circumstances, Lord. Men forget about us, they don't remember this tragedy. But you, Lord, do not forget yourself. Man is your great dream Lord, which you always remember. Lord, let us also remember that we are in the world to give hope and closeness, because we are your children, God of all consolation (2 Cor 1: 3).
Original text in Italian
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Yesterday, in Pozzomaggiore, in Sardinia, Edvige Carboni was proclaimed Blessed. She was a simple woman of the people who embraced the Cross in her humble everyday life, bearing witness to faith and charity. We give thanks for this faithful disciple of Christ, who spent all her life in the service of God and neighbour. A round of applause for the new Blessed, everyone!
We want to remember refugees in particular, on the occasion of the World Day that the United Nations dedicates to them. This anniversary invites everyone to solidarity with men, women and children fleeing wars, persecution and violations of fundamental rights. May our ecclesial and civil communities be close to them and attentive to their needs and sufferings.
I am also following with concern the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf. I urge everyone to use diplomacy tools to solve the complex problems of conflicts in the Middle East. I also renew a heartfelt appeal to the international community to make every effort possible to foster dialogue and peace.
At the end of this celebration, I cordially greet all of you present here. I extend my greeting with affection to the sick, to the elderly, to prisoners, and to all those who, through radio and television, have united spiritually to this Holy Mass. I express my heartfelt thanks to all those - institutions, organizations, associations and individuals - who have worked for my brief but intense visit, generously collaborating with the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche. I would like to send a special greeting and encouragement to the inhabitants of San Severino Marche; I will greet their city from above by helicopter.
Dear brothers and sisters, may you walk together in the path of faith, hope and charity, faithful to the many testimonies of holiness with which your land is enriched. Among others, I think of San Venanzio, San Severino, Sant’Ansovino, San Nicola da Tolentino, San Pacifico, and Beata Battista Varano. I am also thinking of the numerous figures of saints next door who are not beatified or canonized, but who have supported - and still argue - and transformed families and communities with the strength of their Christian life.
And now let us recite together the prayer of the Angelus. I entrust the entire Diocesan Community to the Holy Virgin, whom you venerate in numerous Shrines and whom you invoke especially with the title of Santa Maria in Via. May she, who animated the first community of Jesus' disciples with her motherly presence, also help the Church today to give good witness to the Gospel.
Angelus Domini ...
Original text in Italian
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
addressed to those living in the
emergency shelter
Good morning!
Good morning to all of you. I would have liked to visit all the houses, every house ... But it is not possible and for this reason, I greet you from here and I give my blessing to all of you. I am close to each of you. I'm close. And I pray for you, that this situation will be resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and courage. You pray for me. Now I will come down to greet you.
Dialogue of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
with children who have celebrated First Communion
ChildHoly Father, I am very emotional as I speak with you because I know that you are listening.
My name is Giovanni, I am 10 years old and this year I will receive First Communion. I came back to live in Camerino after having spend an entire year in San Benedetto del Tronto because on the evening of 26 October 2016, there was an earthquake that, in addition to much damage, caused the collapse of the bell tower outside the church of Santa Maria in Via, where my sister Giulia and I were baptized. Since that day, our city is no longer the same: the houses are still ruined and you can only enter those places with a protective helmet and with the assistance of the Fire Brigade.
Our habits have changed, the faces of citizens are sad and many people have moved to other municipalities. Sometimes, even a small sudden movement makes us still feel very afraid, but we always give ourselves a lot of courage. Over the centuries, our city has had several earthquakes, some devastating, so much so that the coat of arms of Camerino depicts three houses, the only ones left standing.
On May 18, our bishop Francesco Massara explained to us that San Venanzio is also called the saint of the falls, from which he was always saved; and on that occasion he announced to us that the Basilica of San Venanzio will be renovated in December and returned to the faithful. It is an important sign of recovery. I like to think that with the help of his prayers Camerino will always get up again from every fall and that our patron will hold our city in his hand, protecting all its inhabitants.
Pope Francis
Good afternoon!
One question: are you tired?
(the children answer): No!
Pope Francis
Are you warm?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Too warm! When it is too warm, we get tired, no? Yes or no?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Are you tired ...
(they answer): Yes ... no ...
Pope Francis
I thank you very much for waiting for me. Thank you! Thank you!
Have you eaten?
(they answer): Yes!
Pope Francis
Yes? Good. It is important that you eat, in order to grow ...
There is one thing that concerns the earthquake, something that Giovanni said, which makes you think: when things fall, should we leave them like this? Fallen?
(they respond): No ...
Pope Francis
Louder!
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
We have to get back up. And when a person falls, because he has made mistakes in life, do we have to let him fall for life?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
We should help him get back up. And when we - this is a difficult question, let's see if one of you can answer -, when we have made some terrible mistakes in life, committed some sins, and we have fallen down, what should we do?
(they respond): Go to confession.
Pope Francis
We should get back up! But isn't it better to remain on the ground?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Isn't that easier?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Do we always have to get back up?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Always?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And if you fall a second time?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall a third time?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall ten times?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
And if you fall fifty times?
(they respond): You get up!
Pope Francis
Always! But I think: a person who falls, falls, falls ... Maybe Jesus gets annoyed with such people ... Does Jesus get annoyed wth us?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
No. But if we fall many times, does Jesus get annoyed?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
No. What does Jesus do, when we fall?
(they respond): He helps us to get back up.
Pope Francis
How does Jesus help us? He gives you his hand to help you back up. He pulls you up. He pulls you up: Jesus pulls us up. Always keep this memory in life. It will always help you. When I'm down, I have fallen so many times, I don't know, think that Jesus is always there with his outstretched hand. Why? To help…? To help us get up again. Jesus picks us up? Do you understand?
(they respond slowly): Yes ...
Pope Francis
Ah ... It seems that you are not convinced. Does Jesus help us to get back up?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Always?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And does Jesus get annoyed with us?
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
He is good ... he is always waiting for us! Jesus is merciful. This is a difficult word, no? What is mercy? It is the love that Jesus has for us. Do you understand?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Alright, everyone stand up!
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
Now I want to give you my blessing, but if you are tired I can leave ...
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
I will give you my blessing now. But let us pray to Our Lady, all of us, because she is the mother of Jesus and also our mother and she also helps us to get back up.
Hail Mary ...
(Blessing)
Pope Francis
And ... what was that thing? When someone has fallen, should he remain lying down? ...
(they respond): No!
Pope Francis
Are you sure?
(they respond): Yes!
Pope Francis
And who helps us to get back up?
(they respond): Jesus!
Pope Francis
There. Always be brave! Look to Jesus, and He will always help you. Be courageous. Pray for me and continue playing. Good bye!
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