To form a single family is
"the goal of humanity's great journey through the centuries, of course
with all the differences that enrich, but without barriers, recognizing
all equally as brothers", recalling his message for today's World Day
for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to 20 thousand people in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus.
Benedict XVI also marked the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian unity and to express his "joy" for the beatification of John Paul II.
Migration, he said, "is sometimes voluntary, sometimes,
unfortunately, it is forced by war or persecution, and often takes
place, as we know, in atrocious conditions."
"Sometimes,
unfortunately - he continued - Christians feel compelled to leave, with
suffering, their land, thus impoverishing the countries where their
ancestors have lived. On the other hand, the
voluntary movement of Christians, for various reasons, from one city to
another, from one country to another, from one continent to another, are
an opportunity to increase the missionary zeal of the Word of God and
allow the testimony of faith to circulate in the Mystical Body of Christ
across the nations and cultures, reaching new frontiers, new
environments. "
The theme of the papal message for the Day "One human
family," affirms that "all people are one community," implying that "it
is imperative that Christians, although scattered throughout the world
and, therefore, of different cultures and traditions, may be one, as the
Lord wishes. And 'this is the purpose of the "Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity", which will take place in the coming days, January 18
to 25. This year it is inspired by a passage from the Acts of the
Apostles: " One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread
and prayer” (Acts 2.42). The Octave for Christian Unity is preceded, tomorrow, by the day of Jewish-Christian dialogue: a very significant juncture, which recalls the importance of the common roots that unite Jews and Christians. In addressing the Virgin Mary, in the Angelus prayer, we entrust to his protection of all migrants and those who engage in pastoral work among them. "
After the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI recalled that "the 1
May will have the joy of beatifying the Venerable Servant of God, John
Paul II, my beloved predecessor. The date is
significant: it will be the Second Sunday of Easter, which he dedicated
to Divine Mercy, on the eve of which his earthly life ended. Those who knew him, those who have respected and loved him, can not but rejoice with the Church for this event. "
"This
news - he added, addressing Polish pilgrims - was eagerly awaited by
all and, in particular, by you, for whom my venerable Predecessor has
been a leader in faith, truth and freedom. I urge you to a deep spiritual preparation for this event. "
The Pope also expressed a special prayer for the people of
Australia, Brazil, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, recently hit by
devastating floods.
“May the Lord acceps the souls of the
dead, give strength to displaced persons and support the efforts of
those who are doing their utmost to alleviate suffering and hardship."
SIC: AN/INT'L