At noon today, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience a group of employees of the Italian railways.
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
I want to thank Engineer Renato Mazzoncini for his words; I greet your President, Mistress Ghezzi; and I greet you all.
The Italian State Railway has surpassed the cycle of life by ten years, and this is first of all a reason to thank the Lord. But it is also an occasion to thank many people who have worked very hard to establish the railway network in Italy: a territory that is not easy, that requires a lot of work both at the planning stage and in order to put it into operation. More than a few workers have also lost their lives in the course of this work. You remember them all. As far as is possible for us, let us never let this happen again.
The history of the Italian railways also bears witness to the special attention that has been paid to the poor, through various initiatives of solidarity, both in the past and in more recent times. One of these efforts is the establishment of Help Centres, which are present in dozens of Italian cities, born out of a collaborative effort between the railways, local authorities and the private sector. They are one-stop shops that provide a place for those who are having difficulty to be heard, supported and assisted. We all need these one-stop shops, which allow us to pick up signals about everything that is going on around us, to be able to perceive the sufferings of others without being insensitive. These centres are a means through which the railways demonstrate their cooperation to keep the country united, not only in the geographic sense of the word but also on the social level, helping to be sure that no one gets left behind and accentuating the gap between those who have everything and those who have nothing.
Another important initiative is the Don Luigi Di Leigro Hostel located at the Termini Station, where yesterday we opened the Door of Charity. This structure was renovated by the Railways in collaboration with the diocesan Caritas office. Five years ago, Benedict XVI placed the foundation stone at the beginning of the work to prepare the new location. The hostel, which welcomes hundreds of guests every day, and which is also preparing to offer a day-care service, provides an essential service in a part of the city where people often gather in search of shelter.
The Holy Year, which has just begun, above all teaches us, and is imprinted upon our minds and our hearts that mercy is the best and most real medicine for humans - healing is such a merciful caress! - medicine that each one of us urgently needs. It flows continually and in superabundance from God, but we must also become capable of sharing this gift with one another, so that each of us can live our humanity in all its fullness.
A reminder of this is made evident in the Holy Doors, which have now been opened in all the dioceses of the world, through which we pass with love to find forgiveness and consolation, and which will compel us to give and to give of ourselves with more generosity, for the salvation of our brothers. Let us all be transformed by our passage through this spiritual door, so that we can recognize interior signs of life for us. Let us use the Jubilee of Mercy - a bit of mercy which we all need - in order to renew the fabric of our entire society, making it more just and united, especially in this third world war that is being fought in pieces but which we are all experiencing.
I have learned that the latest volume in the collection of photographs documenting the travels of Popes by train in Italy is entitled Jubilee. May the esteem that connects us, a sign of today's meeting, be strengthened during this Holy Year, so that Italy and all countries of the world may become parts of an interwoven network, more authentically human, more capable of rejoicing in the love of God and in reciprocal communion.
I ask the Lord to bless all of you. I give you my blessing and ask the Lord to bless you, and I ask you not to forget to pray for me. Thank you.
Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to employees of the Italian railways
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
I want to thank Engineer Renato Mazzoncini for his words; I greet your President, Mistress Ghezzi; and I greet you all.
The Italian State Railway has surpassed the cycle of life by ten years, and this is first of all a reason to thank the Lord. But it is also an occasion to thank many people who have worked very hard to establish the railway network in Italy: a territory that is not easy, that requires a lot of work both at the planning stage and in order to put it into operation. More than a few workers have also lost their lives in the course of this work. You remember them all. As far as is possible for us, let us never let this happen again.
The history of the Italian railways also bears witness to the special attention that has been paid to the poor, through various initiatives of solidarity, both in the past and in more recent times. One of these efforts is the establishment of Help Centres, which are present in dozens of Italian cities, born out of a collaborative effort between the railways, local authorities and the private sector. They are one-stop shops that provide a place for those who are having difficulty to be heard, supported and assisted. We all need these one-stop shops, which allow us to pick up signals about everything that is going on around us, to be able to perceive the sufferings of others without being insensitive. These centres are a means through which the railways demonstrate their cooperation to keep the country united, not only in the geographic sense of the word but also on the social level, helping to be sure that no one gets left behind and accentuating the gap between those who have everything and those who have nothing.
Another important initiative is the Don Luigi Di Leigro Hostel located at the Termini Station, where yesterday we opened the Door of Charity. This structure was renovated by the Railways in collaboration with the diocesan Caritas office. Five years ago, Benedict XVI placed the foundation stone at the beginning of the work to prepare the new location. The hostel, which welcomes hundreds of guests every day, and which is also preparing to offer a day-care service, provides an essential service in a part of the city where people often gather in search of shelter.
The Holy Year, which has just begun, above all teaches us, and is imprinted upon our minds and our hearts that mercy is the best and most real medicine for humans - healing is such a merciful caress! - medicine that each one of us urgently needs. It flows continually and in superabundance from God, but we must also become capable of sharing this gift with one another, so that each of us can live our humanity in all its fullness.
A reminder of this is made evident in the Holy Doors, which have now been opened in all the dioceses of the world, through which we pass with love to find forgiveness and consolation, and which will compel us to give and to give of ourselves with more generosity, for the salvation of our brothers. Let us all be transformed by our passage through this spiritual door, so that we can recognize interior signs of life for us. Let us use the Jubilee of Mercy - a bit of mercy which we all need - in order to renew the fabric of our entire society, making it more just and united, especially in this third world war that is being fought in pieces but which we are all experiencing.
I have learned that the latest volume in the collection of photographs documenting the travels of Popes by train in Italy is entitled Jubilee. May the esteem that connects us, a sign of today's meeting, be strengthened during this Holy Year, so that Italy and all countries of the world may become parts of an interwoven network, more authentically human, more capable of rejoicing in the love of God and in reciprocal communion.
I ask the Lord to bless all of you. I give you my blessing and ask the Lord to bless you, and I ask you not to forget to pray for me. Thank you.
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