With an African circus show, which made the Pope and the faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall smile, the Pope dedicated the catechesis and will also do so next Wednesday - to children, recalling that "they have a special place in God's heart", and "anyone who harms a child will have to give an account before Him"..
In a festive atmosphere for the joy of Christmas, and the coming of the Savior, whom the Magi adored, and for the Jubilee The Pope's message, which has just begun, a year of grace and interior renewal, as he recalled in French, English and Chinese, reflected the harshness of the situation of children in the world.
Artificial intelligence but abused and injured children
"Today we know how to project ourselves towards Mars or towards virtual worlds, but we find it difficult to see in the eyes of a child who has been left on the margins and who is exploited and abused. The century that creates artificial intelligence and projects multi-planetary existences does not yet take into account the wound of the humiliated, exploited, mortally wounded child," the Pope began his catechesis.
The Holy Father noted that "the word that appears most often in the Old Testament, after the divine name Jahweh (more than 6,800 times), is the word ben, 'son': almost 5,000 times. 'Children (ben) are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Ps 127:3).' And "unfortunately, this gift is not always treated with respect".
Preventing and strongly condemning violence
"Brothers and sisters, disciples of Jesus Christ must never allow children to be neglected or abused, deprived of their rights or not loved and protected," the Pope said.
Christians have a duty to "diligently prevent and firmly condemn violence or the use of child molestation". Even today, in particular, there are too many children forced to work. But a child who does not smile and does not dream will not be able to know and let his talents flourish, he continued.
"A special place in God's heart."
Everywhere on earth there are children exploited by an economy that does not respect life, he assured. An economy that, in doing so, burns our greatest storehouse of hope and love. "But children have a special place in God's heart, and anyone who harms a child will have to answer to Him," he said.
"I would especially like to highlight the scourge of child labor, which erases children's smiles and dreams, and prevents them from developing their talents."
The Pope pointed out that "Herod's storm of violence immediately erupts also on the newborn Jesus, who massacres the children of Bethlehem. A dark drama that is repeated in other ways in history", and recalled the words of Jesus: "Unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3)".
St. John Paul II's appeal: protect life
In his greeting to the Polish pilgrims, Pope Francis recalled the appeal of "St. John Paul II to build the civilization of love and life. Continue to take up this call of the Church as a priority task. Protect life with love, in all stages of their development: from conception to natural death. Educate your children in wisdom and grace. I bless you from my heart.
Before giving the Blessing, the Pontiff encouraged, as he always does, to pray for peace in the martyred Ukraine, Israel, and in all places at war, stressing that war is always a defeat.
