Leaving the Pro-Cathedral of Saint Mary, the Holy Father, Pope Francis travelled in the popemobile to a Welcome Centre which is operated by the Capuchin Fathers for homeless families.
Upon his arrival, Pope Francis was welcomed, at the side entrance of the centre, by 10 Capuchin Fathers who manage the Centre. Employees and volunteers were in the courtyard to meet the Pope, and about 100 people who are assisted by the Centre were gathered in the cafeteria.
After having heard the words of welcome offered by the Director of the Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, the Holy Father spontaneously shared some unscripted words of gratitude and appreciation for the work that the Capuchin Fathers are doing; he then spoke directly to the Centre's guests, thanking them for the trust they have placed in the Capuchin Fathers and in the Welcoming Centre. Before imparting his blessing and taking his leave, the Pope invited all those in attendance to observe a moment of silent prayer.
At the conclusion of his visit, the Pope returned to the Nunciature, where he met privately with a few members of the Jesuit community present in Ireland.
Dear Brother,
Dear Bishop,
Dear Capuchin Brothers,
and you, all my brothers and sisters!
You (the Capuchin Father who made the presentation) said that the Capuchins are known as the friars of the people, close to the people, and this is true. And if sometimes some Capuchin communities turns away from the people of God, they fail. You have a special harmony with the people of God, indeed, with the poor. You have the grace to contemplate the wounds of Jesus in people who are in need, who are suffering, who are not happy or who have nothing, or those who are full of vices and faults. For you, they are the flesh of Christ. This is your testimony and the Church needs this testimony. Thank you.
One more thing, then I will speak to you (addressing the poor). Another thing that you said and that touched my heart was that you do not ask for anything here. It is Jesus who comes (to the poor). Do not ask for anything. Accept life as it is, give consolation and, if need be, forgive. This makes me think - as a reproach - about priests who live by asking questions about the lives of others and in the confessional, they dig, dig, dig into people's consciences ... Your testimony teaches priests to listen, to be close, to forgive and not ask too much. Be simple, as Jesus said that he made that father, so that when the son returned full of sins and vices, the Father did not sit in the confessional beginning to ask, to ask, to ask questions; he accepted his son's repentance and hugged him. May your testimony to the people of God, and your heart that is capable of forgiving without causing suffering, reach out to all priests. Thank you!
And you, dear brothers and sisters, thank you for the love and trust you have for the Capuchin fathers, thank you for coming to them with confidence! I will tell you one thing: do you know why you come here with confidence? Because they help you without taking away your dignity. For them, each of you is Jesus Christ. Thank you for the trust you give us. You are the Church, you are God's people. Jesus is with you. They will give you the things you need, but listen to the advice they give you: they will always advise you well. And if you have something, some doubt, some pain, talk to them, and they will advise you well. You know that they love you: otherwise, this work here would not exist. Thanks for the trust you have placed in them. And one last thing: pray. Pray for the Church. Pray for priests. Pray for the Capuchins. Pray for the bishops, for your bishop. And pray for me too ... I beg you to pray for us. Pray for priests, do not forget.
Thank you very much! Now, each one of you, enter into your own heart and think about the people you love, so that I can give my blessing to them too. And let us take another step; if one of you has an enemy or someone you do not love, place that person in your heart too, so that he or she can receive my blessing.
God bless you all, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thank you very much.
(Original text in Italian, translation by Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
Upon his arrival, Pope Francis was welcomed, at the side entrance of the centre, by 10 Capuchin Fathers who manage the Centre. Employees and volunteers were in the courtyard to meet the Pope, and about 100 people who are assisted by the Centre were gathered in the cafeteria.
After having heard the words of welcome offered by the Director of the Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, the Holy Father spontaneously shared some unscripted words of gratitude and appreciation for the work that the Capuchin Fathers are doing; he then spoke directly to the Centre's guests, thanking them for the trust they have placed in the Capuchin Fathers and in the Welcoming Centre. Before imparting his blessing and taking his leave, the Pope invited all those in attendance to observe a moment of silent prayer.
At the conclusion of his visit, the Pope returned to the Nunciature, where he met privately with a few members of the Jesuit community present in Ireland.
Unscripted greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
during the visit to the Capuchin Fathers' Welcome Centre
Dear Brother,
Dear Bishop,
Dear Capuchin Brothers,
and you, all my brothers and sisters!
You (the Capuchin Father who made the presentation) said that the Capuchins are known as the friars of the people, close to the people, and this is true. And if sometimes some Capuchin communities turns away from the people of God, they fail. You have a special harmony with the people of God, indeed, with the poor. You have the grace to contemplate the wounds of Jesus in people who are in need, who are suffering, who are not happy or who have nothing, or those who are full of vices and faults. For you, they are the flesh of Christ. This is your testimony and the Church needs this testimony. Thank you.
One more thing, then I will speak to you (addressing the poor). Another thing that you said and that touched my heart was that you do not ask for anything here. It is Jesus who comes (to the poor). Do not ask for anything. Accept life as it is, give consolation and, if need be, forgive. This makes me think - as a reproach - about priests who live by asking questions about the lives of others and in the confessional, they dig, dig, dig into people's consciences ... Your testimony teaches priests to listen, to be close, to forgive and not ask too much. Be simple, as Jesus said that he made that father, so that when the son returned full of sins and vices, the Father did not sit in the confessional beginning to ask, to ask, to ask questions; he accepted his son's repentance and hugged him. May your testimony to the people of God, and your heart that is capable of forgiving without causing suffering, reach out to all priests. Thank you!
And you, dear brothers and sisters, thank you for the love and trust you have for the Capuchin fathers, thank you for coming to them with confidence! I will tell you one thing: do you know why you come here with confidence? Because they help you without taking away your dignity. For them, each of you is Jesus Christ. Thank you for the trust you give us. You are the Church, you are God's people. Jesus is with you. They will give you the things you need, but listen to the advice they give you: they will always advise you well. And if you have something, some doubt, some pain, talk to them, and they will advise you well. You know that they love you: otherwise, this work here would not exist. Thanks for the trust you have placed in them. And one last thing: pray. Pray for the Church. Pray for priests. Pray for the Capuchins. Pray for the bishops, for your bishop. And pray for me too ... I beg you to pray for us. Pray for priests, do not forget.
Thank you very much! Now, each one of you, enter into your own heart and think about the people you love, so that I can give my blessing to them too. And let us take another step; if one of you has an enemy or someone you do not love, place that person in your heart too, so that he or she can receive my blessing.
God bless you all, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thank you very much.
(Original text in Italian, translation by Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
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