Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Toward balance in the world

The Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent a Message to those who are participating in the IV International Conference entitled Toward balance in the world, organized by the José Martí Project, part of Solidarity International.  The Conference is taking place at the Convention Palace in Havana (Cuba) from 28 to 31 January 2019.


Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the IV International Conference sponsored
by the José Martí Project

Distinguished delegates,

I cordially greet the participants taking part in this International Conference for the Balance of the World, which is being held in Havana, as part of the commemoration of such a significant date for that beloved country: the birth of José Martí, whose purpose is unite the wills of all those who contribute, through a fruitful dialogue, to strengthen bonds of fraternity among nations.

It is easy to see how the various events on the planet have contributed significantly to the endangerment of the balance of the current civilization. For this reason good men and women should join and meet in events of this nature, in a framework of plurality, in order to achieve authentic human promotion, knowing also that those who strive to defend the dignity of people, can find in the Christian faith the deepest arguments for that commitment (Encyclical Letter, Laudato si ', 65).

The human environment and the natural environment go hand in hand and can degrade together. Environmental degradation can not be adequately addressed if we do not understand the causes that have to do with human and social degradation (cf LS, 48). For this reason, I already expressed during my pastoral visit to Cuba that a culture of encounter should be cultivated, especially among young people, by promoting social friendship (cf Greetings to young people, Havana, 20 September 2015), which brings us together in a common goal of promoting people.

I encourage you to look for effective alternatives around the thought of José Martí, a man of light, as defined by Saint John Paul II during his visit to Cuba (Encounter with the world of culture, Havana, January 23, 1998). May the teachings of that Cuban teacher and writer resonate within us and remind us, with their words, that all the trees of the earth will concentrate in the end on one, which will give in the eternal a very mild aroma: the tree of love, of such robust and copious branches, that in his name all men will be smiling and in peace (Obras completas, vol 5, 103).

I hope that these days of work and reflection will bear much fruit of understanding and dialogue in the achievement of an increasingly fraternal civilization.

From the Vatican
17 January 2019

Francis

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