Pope Francis says war is madness and a defeat Zocalo

Pope Francis says “war is madness” and “a defeat” Zócalo | News from Saltillo, Torreón, Piedras Negras, Monclova, Acuña Zócalo

Vatican City.- He Pope Francisco Today wanted to remember the people in the world who suffer from conflict because “they War is a craziness” and “Always a Loss” as he said at the end the broad masses took place this Wednesday in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican.

“Let us not forget the peoples who are at war. War is crazy. War is always a defeat. Always a defeat. Let us pray for the people of Palestine, Israel, Ukraine and many other places where there is war,” the Pope told the four thousand faithful present at the end of the audience.

“And let us not forget our Rohingya brothers who are being persecuted,” he added about the situation of the people of this ethnic group who are suffering persecution in Burma and in refugee camps in Bangladesh, where they are victims of an increase in crime and the imposed Restrictions are imposed by the authorities and the lack of hope.

In the new year, Francis said: “We ask God to give us a heart sensitive to the needs of the poor, refugees and victims of war. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, I ask the Lord for the gift of peace.”

Pope Francis, who arrived at the main Vatican hall with a cane for his first audience of 2024 and left in a wheelchair, was greeted with a wave of applause by those in attendance, who repeatedly shouted cheers and chanted his name throughout the appearance.

During catechesis, Francis also referred to the need to regain “the ability to ask for forgiveness.”

“We are all sinners,” but “Jesus forgives everything,” “he never forgets to forgive,” he “just wants your open heart,” while “we often lose the ability to ask for forgiveness,” he said.

The Pope emphasized that “Jesus never leaves us alone,” “he is at our side to help us rise after sin,” and emphasized that “the spiritual life of the Christian is not peaceful, linear and without challenges, but on the contrary.” “The Christian life requires constant struggle.”

“Life is made up of challenges, trials, crossroads, conflicting visions, hidden temptations and conflicting voices. Some voices are even convincing,” so “it is necessary to maintain inner clarity in order to choose the path that really leads to happiness and then strive not to get stuck on the path.”

Therefore, “we are always divided and fighting between opposing extremes: pride challenges humility; Hatred is opposed to charity; Sadness prevents the true joy of the spirit; The hardness of the heart rejects mercy. “We Christians walk these tightropes all the time,” he said.

That's why “it is important to think about vices and virtues: it helps us overcome the nihilistic culture in which the lines between good and evil remain blurred, while reminding us that man is different from everyone else.” ” A creature can always go beyond itself, open itself to God and move towards holiness,” he concluded.