The Pope Franciscoon the occasion of the Christmasrecalled that Jesus was born in a stable and criticized the “thirsty” to accumulate wealth and power at the expense of the poor.
In his homily at St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis presided over a mass attended by some 7,000 faithful, including tourists and pilgrims.
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The pontiff asked to learn lessons from the humility of Jesus who was born poor in a manger.
“While animals feed in their enclosures, men and women in our world, in their thirst for wealth and power, consume even their neighbors, their brothers and sisters,” lamented the father. “How many wars have we seen! And in how many places, even today, human dignity and freedom are treated with disdain!”
“As always, the main victims of this human greed are the weak and the vulnerable,” said Francisco, who did not mention any particular conflict or situation.
“This Christmas also, as it happened with Jesus, a world thirsty for money, power and pleasure does not make room for the little ones, the unborn, the poor and forgotten children”the pope continued in a voice that sounded somewhat weak or tired. “I am thinking above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice.”
Even so, the pontiff encouraged everyone not to lose hope.
“Do not be overwhelmed by fear, resignation or discouragement”said the dad.
He added that the fact that Jesus was born in a manger reflects where “The true riches of life are found: not in money or power but in relationships and people.
By underlining the “enormous consumerism that has shrouded the mystery” of Christmas, Francis said there is a risk that the meaning of the day will be forgotten.
But, he said, Christmas focuses attention on “The problem of our humanity: the indifference produced by the greed to possess and consume.”
“Dear brothers, dear sisters, at Christmas, let us remember that God is poor. May charity be reborn,” said the pope, calling on those present to “Do not allow this Christmas to pass without doing a good deed.”
When the mass ended, the pope, pushed in a wheelchair by an aide, made his way through the Basilica with a life-size statue of the Child Jesus on his lap and flanked by several children carrying bouquets of flowers. The statue was then placed in a manger in the Basilica.
Francisco, 86, has been using a wheelchair to travel long distances due to knee ligament pain and a cane for shorter distances.
Traditionally, Catholics celebrate Christmas Eve by attending mass at midnight. But over the years, the start time at the Vatican has been brought forward, reflecting the health or resilience of the popes and then the pandemic.
Two years ago, the start of the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was moved up to 7:30 p.m. to allow the faithful to get home before the nightly curfew imposed by the Italian government as a measure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Although virtually all of the restrictions brought on by the pandemic were lifted long ago in Italy, the measure was upheld by the Vatican.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims are expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver a speech on world issues and give his blessing. The speech, known in Latin as “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world), is generally an occasion to address crises such as war, persecution and famine that are taking place in different parts of the world.
Source: AP
Source: Gestion
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