In his message, within the framework of the LVI. On the occasion of the World Day of Peace, the Pope declared that “at the beginning of this year we need hope, just as the earth needs rain”.
He asked to pray “for so many brothers and sisters who are affected by war in so many parts of the world,” especially for those who “are spending this holiday in darkness and in the open, in misery and fear, in violence and live in indifference”.
During the Mass, which began at 10:00 a.m. local time, and later in the Angelus prayer, held at 12 p.m. from the window of the study of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, Francis indicated that on this World Day of Peace we are aware of the “ responsibility to build the future”.
“If we really want the new year to be good, if we want to rebuild hope, we must abandon languages, gestures and choices inspired by selfishness and learn the language of love,” added the Bishop of Rome .
“In the face of the personal and social crises we are experiencing, in the face of the tragedy of war, we are called to face the challenges of our world with responsibility and compassion,” but “we cannot comfortably wait for things to get better. You have to get up, take chances” and “go, take risks”.
Everyone’s obligation, he stressed, should be “to take care of our lives, to take care of our time and our souls; care for creation and the environment in which we live, and even more, care for others.
“All over the world, in all peoples, the call is loud: No to war! No to rearmament!” he exclaimed, demanding that the resources be used “for development, health, nutrition, education, work.”
Lamenting the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, “who left this world yesterday morning,” he added, “we all unite with one heart and one soul to give thanks to God for the gift of this faithful minister of the Gospel to the Church.
Benedict’s funeral will take place on January 5 at 09:30 local time in the Basilica of the Vatican, presided over by the Pope, at the end of which the Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio will take place. His coffin will then be transferred to the Vatican Grottoes for burial, according to the press office of the Holy See.
yeah/place