Today's General Audience began at 10:00am local time in Saint Peter's Square where the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful who had come from various parts of Italy and all corners of the world.
During his address, the Pope shared his meditation on his recent trip to Albania.
After having summarized the Holy Father's remarks in various languages, His Holiness spoke words of greeting to each group of the faithful who was present. He then issued a call for prayer for the African countries who are suffering from the Ebola epidemic.
The General Audience concluded as it always does with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the imposition of the Apostolic Blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.
Today, I want to speak about the Apostolic Voyage that I just made to Albania last Sunday. I do this first of all as an act of thanksgiving to God, who made it possible for me to make this visit in order to demonstrate in a physical and tangible way, my own personal closeness and the concern of the entire Church for the people of that land. I also want to renew my fraternal gratitude to the Albanian bishops, to the priests and to the religious who are present there in such a committed manner. My grateful thoughts also extend to the authorities who welcomed me with such courtesy, as well as to all those who cooperated in any way toward the fulfillment of this visit.
This visit was born out of a desire to be present in a country which, after having been oppressed for a long time by an atheistic and inhumane regime, is now experiencing a time of peaceful coexistence between a variety of religious adherents. It seemed to me that it would be important to encourage them in this endeavor so that they might continue their journey with tenacity and so that they might deepen every aspect in favor of the common good. This was the reason why, in the middle of the visit, there was an inter-religious gathering where I saw, with great satisfaction, that the peaceful and fruitful coexistence between persons and communities belonging to various religions is not only desired, but concretely possible. They are doing it! There is an authentic and fruitful dialogue taking place about relativism and it takes into account the identity of each participant. The various religious expressions are in fact united by their common journey of life and a will to do good for others while not denying or downplaying each community's own particular identity.
The meeting with priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and members of lay movements was an occasion to remember gratefully, even accented by particular emotion, the numerous martyrs of the faith. I was also thankful for the presence of a few elderly, who personally experienced some terrible persecutions, echoing the faith of so many heroic testimonies from the past, each of which followed Christ even if to do this bore extreme consequences. It is precisely this intimate union with Jesus, the relationship of love with Him that gave rise to these martyrs - as is the case for every martyr - the strength to face the painful events that led them to martyrdom. Even today, as it was yesterday, the strength of the Church is not found in a particular capacity for organization or structure, all of which is necessary: the Church does not find her strength there. Our strength is the love of Christ! A strength which sustains her in moments of difficulty and which inspires heroic apostolic actions which offer goodness and forgiveness to everyone, testifying to God's mercy.
Travelling along the main roads of Tirana which lead from the airport to the great central square, I could see the portraits of forty priests who had been assassinated during the communist dictatorship and whose causes for beatification have already begun. In total, there have been hundreds of Christian religious and Muslims assassinated, tortured, imprisoned and deported solely because they believed in God. These were dark years, during which religious freedom was burned to the ground and belief in God was forbidden; thousands of churches and mosques were destroyed, transformed into stores and cinemas which propagated the marxist ideology; religious books were burned and parents were prohibited from giving their children the religious names of their ancestors. The memory of these dramatic events is essential for the future of a people. The memory of the martyrs who stood firmly in faith is a guarantee for the future of Albania; for their blood was not spilled in vain, but was a seed which bore the fruit of peace and fraternal collaboration. Today, in fact, Albanian is an example not only of the rebirth of the Church, but also of the peaceful co-existence between religions. Therefore, the martyrs did not give their lives without purpose, they are victors: in their heroic witness shines the omnipotence of God which always consoles his people, opening new possibilities and horizons of hope.
This message of hope, founded on faith in Christ and on the memory of the past, I entrusted to the entire Albanian population which I witnessed as an enthusiastic and joyous people in the places where we met, in the celebrations and in the streets of Tirana. I encouraged them all to draw new energy from the Risen Lord, in order to be evangelical leaven in society and to engage as they already have, in charitable activity and education.
I wish once more to thank the Lord, for with this voyage, he allowed me to meet a courageous and strong people, who have not been left cowering in pain. To all the brothers and sisters in Albania, I renew my invitation to be courageous and to do good in order to build the present and the future of their country and of Europe. I entrust the fruits of my visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel, venerated in the Shrine of Scutari; may she continue to guide the journey of this martyred-people. The bitter experience of the past strengthens your ties more and more in openness toward your brothers, especially those who are most vulnerable, and makes them participants in the dynamism of charity so necessary in today's socio-cultural context. I hope that all of us might today salute this courageous people, as they work toward the realization of peace and unity.
Following this Catechesis, the Holy Father's words were summarized in various languages, and he himself offered words of greeting to each of the groups of pilgrims who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the new students of the Venerable English College in Rome and I assure them of my closeness in prayer as they begin their studies for the priesthood. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims taking part in today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, India, China, Japan, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord Jesus. God bless you!
When the speaking of greetings to all linguistic groups was complete, the Pope continued:
My thoughts now go to the those African countries where many are suffering because of the Ebola epidemic. I am close to all those people who have fallen victim to this terrible sickness. I invite you to pray for them and for those who have so tragically lost their lives. My wish is that the international community will not abandon its efforts to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Let us pray to Our Lady for our brothers and sisters who are sick and suffering.
During his address, the Pope shared his meditation on his recent trip to Albania.
After having summarized the Holy Father's remarks in various languages, His Holiness spoke words of greeting to each group of the faithful who was present. He then issued a call for prayer for the African countries who are suffering from the Ebola epidemic.
The General Audience concluded as it always does with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the imposition of the Apostolic Blessing.
Catechesis of His Holiness, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.
Today, I want to speak about the Apostolic Voyage that I just made to Albania last Sunday. I do this first of all as an act of thanksgiving to God, who made it possible for me to make this visit in order to demonstrate in a physical and tangible way, my own personal closeness and the concern of the entire Church for the people of that land. I also want to renew my fraternal gratitude to the Albanian bishops, to the priests and to the religious who are present there in such a committed manner. My grateful thoughts also extend to the authorities who welcomed me with such courtesy, as well as to all those who cooperated in any way toward the fulfillment of this visit.
This visit was born out of a desire to be present in a country which, after having been oppressed for a long time by an atheistic and inhumane regime, is now experiencing a time of peaceful coexistence between a variety of religious adherents. It seemed to me that it would be important to encourage them in this endeavor so that they might continue their journey with tenacity and so that they might deepen every aspect in favor of the common good. This was the reason why, in the middle of the visit, there was an inter-religious gathering where I saw, with great satisfaction, that the peaceful and fruitful coexistence between persons and communities belonging to various religions is not only desired, but concretely possible. They are doing it! There is an authentic and fruitful dialogue taking place about relativism and it takes into account the identity of each participant. The various religious expressions are in fact united by their common journey of life and a will to do good for others while not denying or downplaying each community's own particular identity.
The meeting with priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and members of lay movements was an occasion to remember gratefully, even accented by particular emotion, the numerous martyrs of the faith. I was also thankful for the presence of a few elderly, who personally experienced some terrible persecutions, echoing the faith of so many heroic testimonies from the past, each of which followed Christ even if to do this bore extreme consequences. It is precisely this intimate union with Jesus, the relationship of love with Him that gave rise to these martyrs - as is the case for every martyr - the strength to face the painful events that led them to martyrdom. Even today, as it was yesterday, the strength of the Church is not found in a particular capacity for organization or structure, all of which is necessary: the Church does not find her strength there. Our strength is the love of Christ! A strength which sustains her in moments of difficulty and which inspires heroic apostolic actions which offer goodness and forgiveness to everyone, testifying to God's mercy.
Travelling along the main roads of Tirana which lead from the airport to the great central square, I could see the portraits of forty priests who had been assassinated during the communist dictatorship and whose causes for beatification have already begun. In total, there have been hundreds of Christian religious and Muslims assassinated, tortured, imprisoned and deported solely because they believed in God. These were dark years, during which religious freedom was burned to the ground and belief in God was forbidden; thousands of churches and mosques were destroyed, transformed into stores and cinemas which propagated the marxist ideology; religious books were burned and parents were prohibited from giving their children the religious names of their ancestors. The memory of these dramatic events is essential for the future of a people. The memory of the martyrs who stood firmly in faith is a guarantee for the future of Albania; for their blood was not spilled in vain, but was a seed which bore the fruit of peace and fraternal collaboration. Today, in fact, Albanian is an example not only of the rebirth of the Church, but also of the peaceful co-existence between religions. Therefore, the martyrs did not give their lives without purpose, they are victors: in their heroic witness shines the omnipotence of God which always consoles his people, opening new possibilities and horizons of hope.
This message of hope, founded on faith in Christ and on the memory of the past, I entrusted to the entire Albanian population which I witnessed as an enthusiastic and joyous people in the places where we met, in the celebrations and in the streets of Tirana. I encouraged them all to draw new energy from the Risen Lord, in order to be evangelical leaven in society and to engage as they already have, in charitable activity and education.
I wish once more to thank the Lord, for with this voyage, he allowed me to meet a courageous and strong people, who have not been left cowering in pain. To all the brothers and sisters in Albania, I renew my invitation to be courageous and to do good in order to build the present and the future of their country and of Europe. I entrust the fruits of my visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel, venerated in the Shrine of Scutari; may she continue to guide the journey of this martyred-people. The bitter experience of the past strengthens your ties more and more in openness toward your brothers, especially those who are most vulnerable, and makes them participants in the dynamism of charity so necessary in today's socio-cultural context. I hope that all of us might today salute this courageous people, as they work toward the realization of peace and unity.
Following this Catechesis, the Holy Father's words were summarized in various languages, and he himself offered words of greeting to each of the groups of pilgrims who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the new students of the Venerable English College in Rome and I assure them of my closeness in prayer as they begin their studies for the priesthood. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims taking part in today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, India, China, Japan, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord Jesus. God bless you!
When the speaking of greetings to all linguistic groups was complete, the Pope continued:
My thoughts now go to the those African countries where many are suffering because of the Ebola epidemic. I am close to all those people who have fallen victim to this terrible sickness. I invite you to pray for them and for those who have so tragically lost their lives. My wish is that the international community will not abandon its efforts to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Let us pray to Our Lady for our brothers and sisters who are sick and suffering.
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