This morning's General Audience began at 9:30am in Saint Peter's Square where the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful from Italy and from every corner of the world.
In his speech, the Pope focused on his recent Apostolic Voyage to Colombia.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
As you know, in recent days, I paid an Apostolic visit to Colombia. With all my heart, I thank the Lord for this great gift; and I want to renew my gratitude to the President of the Republic, who welcomed me with every courtesy; the Colombian Bishops who have worked so diligently to prepare this visit, as well as the other authorities throughout the country and all those who contributed to making this visit possible. A special word of gratitude to the Colombian people who welcomed me with such affection and so much joy! They are a people filled with joy despite so much suffering, truly joy-filled; a people with hope. One of the things that struck me most in that city, among the crowds, were the fathers and the mothers with children, who lifted their children up so that the Pope could bless them, but they were also proud to show their children, as if to say: This is our pride! This is our pride! I thought: a people capable of creating children and capable of helping them to see with pride, with hope: this people has a future, and I like it very much.
In a particular sense during this voyage, I felt the continuity with the two Popes who visited Colombia before me: Blessed Paul VI in 1968 and Saint John Paul II in 1986. A strong continuity animated by the Spirit, that is guiding the steps of the people of God on the path of history.
The motto for the trip was Demos el primer paso, which means Let's take a first step, a reference to the process of reconciliation that Colombia is presently experiencing as it tries to free itself from half a century of internal conflicts, which have resulted in suffering and enmity and brought about many wounds that are difficult to heal. But with God's help, the path has begun. With my visit, I wished to bless the efforts of that people, to confirm them in their faith and in their hope, and to receive their testimonial, which is a blessing for my ministry and for the entire Church. The witness of this people is a blessing for the entire Church.
Colombia - like most of the Latin-American countries - is a country in which Christian roots are very strong. And if this fact makes the suffering of the tragedies of war that have affected them more acute, at the same time, it is a guarantee of peace, the firm foundation of their reconstruction, the source of their invincible hope. It is evident that the Evil One wanted to divide the people in order to destroy the work of God, but it is equally evident that the love of Christ, his infinite mercy is stronger than sin and death.
This trip was meant to bring the blessing of Christ, the blessing of the church upon the desire for life and for peace that pours forth from the heart of that nation: I was able to see it in the eyes of thousands and thousands of babies, children and young people who filled the square in Bogotá and who I met everywhere; the strength to live that even nature itself proclaims with her exuberance and biodiversity. Colombia is the second country in the world for biodiversity. In Bogotá, I met all the Bishops of the country and also the Executive Committee of the Latin-American Episcopal Conference. I thank God for permitting me to embrace them and sharing with them my pastoral encouragement, for their mission in service to the Church, the sacrament of Christ our peace and our hope.
The day that was dedicated particularly to reconciliation, the culminating moment of the entire trip, took place at Villavicencio. In the morning, there was a great Eucharistic celebration, with the beatification of the martyrs Jesús Emilio Jaramillo Monsalve, a bishop; and Pedro María Ramírez Ramos, a priest; and in the afternoon, there was a special Liturgy of Reconciliation, symbolically focused around the Christ of Bocayá, which has no hands or feet, mutilated like his people.
The Beatification of the two Martyrs concretely recalled the fact that peace is also founded, and sometimes above all, on the blood of many witnesses of love, truth, justice and even true and proper martyrs who are killed for their faith, like the two that were mentioned. Listening to their biographies was a moving experience, to the point of tears: both tears of suffering and of joy. Standing in front of their reliquaries and their faces, the holy and faithful people of God strongly felt their own identity, with suffering, remembering the many, too many victims, and with joy, for the mercy of God which extends to all those who fear him (cf Lk 1:50).
Mercy and truth shall meet / justice and peace shall embrace (Psalm 85:11), we heard at the beginning of today's audience. This verse of the psalm contains the prophecy concerning that which took place last Friday in Colombia; the prophecy and the race of God for that wounded people, because they can rise and continue in a new life. These prophetic words, full of grace, they saw incarnate in the stories of the testimonials, which spoke in the name of many others who, beginning with their wounds, with the grace of Christ were able to come out of themselves and open themselves to the possibility of encounter, forgiveness and reconciliation.
In Medellín, the perspective was that of the Christian life as disciples: vocation and mission. When Christians fully engage in the journey of following Jesus Christ, they truly become salt, light and yeast in the world, and the fruit of this commitment is seen in abundance. One of these fruits can be found in the Hogares, the Homes where children and young people who have been wounded by life can find a new family where they are loved, listened to, protected and accompanied. And other fruit, as abundant as bunches, are the vocations to priestly and consecrated life, which were blessed and encouraged with joy in an unforgettable encounter with consecrated men and women and their families.
Finally, in Cartagena, the city of Saint Peter Claver, the apostle to the slaves, the focus was placed on the promotion of the human person and his fundamental rights. Saint Peter Claver, as was the case more recently with Saint Maria Bernarda Bütler, gave their lives for the poor and the marginalized. In this way, they showed the lives of true revolutionaries, evangelists, not ideologists, that truly liberate a person and a society from slavery to yesterday and, unfortunately, also to today. In this sense, taking the first step - the motto of the trip - signified drawing close to others, bending down, touching the flesh of a wounded and abandoned brother. And doing so with Christ, the Lord who became a slave for us. Thanks to Him, there is hope, for He is mercy and peace.
Once again, I entrust Colombia and her beloved people to our Mother, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, who we were able to venerate inside the Cathedral in Bogotá. With the help of Mary, each Colombian can make every day a first step toward his brothers and sisters, and together construct, day by day, the peace that is the fruit of love and truth.
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages and the Pope added particular greetings in each language. To English-speaking pilgrims in attendance, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his speech, the Pope focused on his recent Apostolic Voyage to Colombia.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Catechesis of His Holiness, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
As you know, in recent days, I paid an Apostolic visit to Colombia. With all my heart, I thank the Lord for this great gift; and I want to renew my gratitude to the President of the Republic, who welcomed me with every courtesy; the Colombian Bishops who have worked so diligently to prepare this visit, as well as the other authorities throughout the country and all those who contributed to making this visit possible. A special word of gratitude to the Colombian people who welcomed me with such affection and so much joy! They are a people filled with joy despite so much suffering, truly joy-filled; a people with hope. One of the things that struck me most in that city, among the crowds, were the fathers and the mothers with children, who lifted their children up so that the Pope could bless them, but they were also proud to show their children, as if to say: This is our pride! This is our pride! I thought: a people capable of creating children and capable of helping them to see with pride, with hope: this people has a future, and I like it very much.
In a particular sense during this voyage, I felt the continuity with the two Popes who visited Colombia before me: Blessed Paul VI in 1968 and Saint John Paul II in 1986. A strong continuity animated by the Spirit, that is guiding the steps of the people of God on the path of history.
The motto for the trip was Demos el primer paso, which means Let's take a first step, a reference to the process of reconciliation that Colombia is presently experiencing as it tries to free itself from half a century of internal conflicts, which have resulted in suffering and enmity and brought about many wounds that are difficult to heal. But with God's help, the path has begun. With my visit, I wished to bless the efforts of that people, to confirm them in their faith and in their hope, and to receive their testimonial, which is a blessing for my ministry and for the entire Church. The witness of this people is a blessing for the entire Church.
Colombia - like most of the Latin-American countries - is a country in which Christian roots are very strong. And if this fact makes the suffering of the tragedies of war that have affected them more acute, at the same time, it is a guarantee of peace, the firm foundation of their reconstruction, the source of their invincible hope. It is evident that the Evil One wanted to divide the people in order to destroy the work of God, but it is equally evident that the love of Christ, his infinite mercy is stronger than sin and death.
This trip was meant to bring the blessing of Christ, the blessing of the church upon the desire for life and for peace that pours forth from the heart of that nation: I was able to see it in the eyes of thousands and thousands of babies, children and young people who filled the square in Bogotá and who I met everywhere; the strength to live that even nature itself proclaims with her exuberance and biodiversity. Colombia is the second country in the world for biodiversity. In Bogotá, I met all the Bishops of the country and also the Executive Committee of the Latin-American Episcopal Conference. I thank God for permitting me to embrace them and sharing with them my pastoral encouragement, for their mission in service to the Church, the sacrament of Christ our peace and our hope.
The day that was dedicated particularly to reconciliation, the culminating moment of the entire trip, took place at Villavicencio. In the morning, there was a great Eucharistic celebration, with the beatification of the martyrs Jesús Emilio Jaramillo Monsalve, a bishop; and Pedro María Ramírez Ramos, a priest; and in the afternoon, there was a special Liturgy of Reconciliation, symbolically focused around the Christ of Bocayá, which has no hands or feet, mutilated like his people.
The Beatification of the two Martyrs concretely recalled the fact that peace is also founded, and sometimes above all, on the blood of many witnesses of love, truth, justice and even true and proper martyrs who are killed for their faith, like the two that were mentioned. Listening to their biographies was a moving experience, to the point of tears: both tears of suffering and of joy. Standing in front of their reliquaries and their faces, the holy and faithful people of God strongly felt their own identity, with suffering, remembering the many, too many victims, and with joy, for the mercy of God which extends to all those who fear him (cf Lk 1:50).
Mercy and truth shall meet / justice and peace shall embrace (Psalm 85:11), we heard at the beginning of today's audience. This verse of the psalm contains the prophecy concerning that which took place last Friday in Colombia; the prophecy and the race of God for that wounded people, because they can rise and continue in a new life. These prophetic words, full of grace, they saw incarnate in the stories of the testimonials, which spoke in the name of many others who, beginning with their wounds, with the grace of Christ were able to come out of themselves and open themselves to the possibility of encounter, forgiveness and reconciliation.
In Medellín, the perspective was that of the Christian life as disciples: vocation and mission. When Christians fully engage in the journey of following Jesus Christ, they truly become salt, light and yeast in the world, and the fruit of this commitment is seen in abundance. One of these fruits can be found in the Hogares, the Homes where children and young people who have been wounded by life can find a new family where they are loved, listened to, protected and accompanied. And other fruit, as abundant as bunches, are the vocations to priestly and consecrated life, which were blessed and encouraged with joy in an unforgettable encounter with consecrated men and women and their families.
Finally, in Cartagena, the city of Saint Peter Claver, the apostle to the slaves, the focus was placed on the promotion of the human person and his fundamental rights. Saint Peter Claver, as was the case more recently with Saint Maria Bernarda Bütler, gave their lives for the poor and the marginalized. In this way, they showed the lives of true revolutionaries, evangelists, not ideologists, that truly liberate a person and a society from slavery to yesterday and, unfortunately, also to today. In this sense, taking the first step - the motto of the trip - signified drawing close to others, bending down, touching the flesh of a wounded and abandoned brother. And doing so with Christ, the Lord who became a slave for us. Thanks to Him, there is hope, for He is mercy and peace.
Once again, I entrust Colombia and her beloved people to our Mother, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, who we were able to venerate inside the Cathedral in Bogotá. With the help of Mary, each Colombian can make every day a first step toward his brothers and sisters, and together construct, day by day, the peace that is the fruit of love and truth.
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages and the Pope added particular greetings in each language. To English-speaking pilgrims in attendance, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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