Saturday, September 9, 2017

In Bogotá, a field hospital

Having returned from his visit to Villavicencia yesterday evening, the Holy Father arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bogotá to find a group of the faithful, composed of victims of violence, members of the military and former guerrilla waiting there.  As he did the night before, His Holiness greeted them and shared some unscripted words before retiring for the evening.


Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis
offered outside the Apostolic Nunciature in Bogotá

Thank you for this field hospital.

Thank you for opening the doors and for keeping them open.

Thank you on behalf of those who are encouraged to enter, those who look from afar, who want to enter but do not know how.

Thank you for accepting so much destruction, for knowing that someone is left with nothing and that even what he could do might not succeed ... but for proclaiming in front of everyone else the phrase that I will never forget: God forgives in me.

There are many people who cannot forgive yet, but today we receive a lesson in theology, the highest form of theology: God forgives in me.  Just let Him do it.

All of Colombia needs to open its doors and become a field hospital.  And let Him enter, let Him forgive.  Give him room: Look, I cannot, but you do it.

Concrete reconciliation with truth, justice and mercy is only possible if God does it.  Let him do this, and we will learn by following in his footsteps, how to do the same.

Thank you for all that you do.  Thank you.  And thank you for what you have taught me tonight.

(Applause)


Mary stood at the foot of the cross.  She was stripped of her Son, and watched him being tortured, she saw everything.  May she accompany all Colombian mothers and teach them like Her to continue on.  Let us ask together for this grace: Hail Mary ...

May God the Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you all.  Thank you.

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