Syria, a painful wound that requires solidarity and patiencePope Francis is closely following the events in Syria, and hopes that "a political solution will be reached which, without further conflicts or divisions, will responsibly promote the stability of the country," he said at today's Audience at the Vatican.
He also assured that he is praying "through the intercession of the Virgin Mary so that the Syrian people can live in peace. peace and security in their beloved land, and that the various religions may walk together in friendship and mutual respect, for the good of the nation, afflicted by so many years of war".
With a slightly hoarse voice and a bruise on his jaw from a blow against the bedside table, as reported by the Vatican, which has not prevented him from following his agenda these days, the Pope referred in the Audience to its reaction to the events in Syria, to the Advent that prepares for the arrival of the Child Jesus at Christmas, to the upcoming start of the Jubilee of 2025, and to the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be held tomorrow, the 12th, among other topics.
"Come, Holy Spirit."
The Paul VI Hall was filled this morning with pilgrims who came to listen to the Pontiff give his catechesis on the theme: 'The Spirit and the Bride say: Come! The Holy Spirit and Christian hope', which concludes the cycle that began on May 29.
"Come!" is the invocation with which almost all the hymns and prayers of the Church addressed to the Holy Spirit begin: "Come, O Creator Spirit", we say in the Veni Creator, and "Come, Holy Spirit", "Veni Sancte Spiritus", in the Pentecost sequence; and so on in many other prayers", the Holy Father began.
"And it is right that this should be so, because, after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit is the true 'alter ego' of Christ, the One who takes his place, who makes him present and active in the Church. It is He who 'announces what is to come' (cf. Jn 16:13) and makes us desire and hope for it. For this reason Christ and the Spirit are inseparable, even in the economy of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the ever-flowing source of Christian hope.
Sowing hope, the most beautiful gift of the Church
The Pope recalled that "hope is one of the three theological virtues - together with faith and charity - "because its origin, motive and object are God, One and Triune. These three virtues are the guarantee of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being. Hope, therefore, is not a passive virtue, which is limited to waiting for things to happen; it is active, because the Spirit impels us to strive for what we long for".
"Giving reasons for the hope that dwells in us is one of the first and most effective forms of evangelization, and it is within everyone's reach. Let us be witnesses of the hope that does not disappoint!", he encouraged the faithful, among whom there were numerous Mexicans.
Shortly before, in the body of his catechesis, he had exhorted pilgrims not to be content with just having hope. "The Christian must also radiate hope, be a sower of hope. This is the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all humanity, especially at a time when everything seems to be lowering its sails," he said.
Welcoming Jesus without reserve, in all tongues
The idea of preparing ourselves in Advent to welcome Jesus at Christmas was recalled by the Pope in his addresses to pilgrims of different languages.
For example, he said to the English-speaking pilgrims: "I greet the English-speaking pilgrims present at today's Audience, especially those from England and the United States. I wish each of you and your families a fruitful Advent journey to welcome the Child Jesus, Son of God and Prince of Peace, at Christmas. May God bless you.
And the same to German-speaking people: "Dear brothers and sisters, Advent invites us to prepare ourselves for Christmas by welcoming Jesus without reserve. He is our hope. That is why we pray together, full of confidence: 'Come, Lord.
Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic...
To the Chinese-speaking people, after the reading by the same reader as last Wednesday, he said: "I cordially greet the Chinese-speaking people. Dear brothers and sisters
May your hearts be open to the grace that God never ceases to bestow in abundance. My blessing to all.
To the Spanish-speaking: "Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Let us ask our heavenly Mother to teach us to trust in God and to be sowers of hope on the road of life. May Jesus bless you and the Morenita Virgin take care of you. Thank you very much.
The reminder of the coming of the Holy Year came when he addressed the Portuguese-speaking pilgrims: "Dear Portuguese-speaking pilgrims, welcome! Let us prepare ourselves for the coming of the Redeemer, in this time of Advent and, above all, in the Holy Year who draws near, invoking with hope: 'Come, Lord Jesus! God bless you!"
Almost in conclusion, to the Arabic-speaking people: "I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful. The Christian who lives in the Holy Spirit becomes a light of hope for those who are in darkness. May the Lord bless you all and protect you always from all evil". Finally, there were the 'rorate caeli' Masses of the Poles, and the final greeting to the Italian-speaking people.
