At the general audience, on Wednesday, April 5, Pope Francis also remembers the attack in St. Petersburg. "Mobsters respond to evil with evil because they have no hope".
"We witness horrified the latest events in Syria", the Pope condemned the "the unacceptable carnage that took place yesterday in Idlib province," urging "those who have political responsibility" to halt this "tragedy" in Syria, at the general audience in St. Peter’s square, turning his thoughts also to the “serious attack of the past days in the St. Petersburg. During his catechesis on hope, the Pope stressed that "mobsters think that evil can be overcome with evil" because "they have no hope."
"With horror we witness the latest events in Syria," the Pope said. " I firmly deplore the unacceptable carnage that took place yesterday in Idlib province, where scores of helpless people, including many children, were killed. I pray for the victims and their families, and I urgently appeal to the consciences of those who have political responsibilities, on a local and international level, to halt this tragedy and bring relief to the population that has been sorely tried by war for far too long. Francis also encouraged those who, notwithstanding the insecurity, are continuing in their efforts to bring help to the inhabitants of the region "
Francis has also turned his thoughts on the "serious attack in recent days in the St. Petersburg subway, which resulted in casualties and loss in the population. As I entrust to God's mercy those who have tragically disappeared, I express my spiritual closeness to their families and to all those who suffer because of this tragic event."
Continuing a series of catechesis on Christian hope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio has dedicated today to the concept of "account for the hope that is in us" present in the First Letter of the Apostle Peter, a text that "is rooted directly in the Passover" "our hope is not a concept, not a feeling, not a cellphone, not a pile of wealth, our hope is a person, our hope is the Lord Jesus who we recognize alive and present in us and in our brothers and sisters. Because Christ is risen. The Slavs - emphasized in this regard the Pope - instead of saying "good morning" or "good evening" in the days of Passover they proudly greet each other by saying "Christ is risen". "The hope that lives in us, therefore, can not be hidden inside our hearts, it would be a weak hope, which does not have the courage to come out and be seen. As emerges from Psalm 33 quoted by Peter, our hope must necessarily emanate outside, taking the exquisite and unique form of gentleness, respect and benevolence towards others, going as far as to forgive those who hurt us. A person who has no hope can not forgive, can not give the consolation of forgiveness and cannot have the consolation of forgiving. Because that is what Jesus did, and continues to do so through those who make room for Him in their hearts and in their lives, aware that evil does not win with evil, but with humility, mercy and meekness. "
On the contrary, "mobsters - the Pope said without reading his written speech - they think that evil can be overcome with evil and so they seek revenge, because they do not know humility, meekness and mercy, and why? Because mobsters have no hope. That is why St. Peter states that "it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil". This does not mean that it is good to suffer, but that when we suffer for the good, we are in communion with the Lord, who has agreed to suffer and to be put on the cross for our salvation. " In this sense, "every time we take side with the last ones, with the marginalized or when we do not respond to evil with evil, but forgive without seeking revenge, we shine as living and glowing signs of hope, becoming instruments of consolation and peace, according to the heart of God. So - concluded the Pope – keep on being kind, meek, continue doing good to those who wish us well or do us harm: keep on!"
Then Francis reminded to the Polish pilgrims that in the early days of April there is John Paul II's "return to the Father's house": "He was a great witness of Christ, a passionate defender of faith’s heritage. He turned to the world two great messages of the Merciful Jesus and Fatima. The first was mentioned during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the second, about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary over evil, reminds us of the centenary of the Fatima visions. "
At the end of the general audience, the Pope greeted among others the participants at the conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture, "encouraging them to reflect on the future of humanity in the light of medical sciences and perennial moral values", and to the Pope John XXIII community- he said – I urge you to continue the work in favor of the girls rescued from prostitution, I invite Romans to participate to the Way of the Cross for the crucified women that will take place Friday, April 7 at Garbatella."
