During the Angelus prayer this Sunday (10), Francis recalls the martyrdom of the Polish family beatified for providing refuge to Jews persecuted by the Nazis. Starting from the Second World War, he looks at current conflicts in the world, especially at “Martyr Ukraine”: the power of weapons is contrasted with that of charity, the rhetoric of violence with the perseverance of prayer.
Andressa Collet News from the Vatican
For the first time, an entire family was beatified by the Church at once. The ceremony took place this Sunday morning (10) in Markowa, Poland, in the presence of the country’s President Andrzej Duda. From the Vatican, after the St. Mary’s Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Francis remembered Józef Ulma, his wife Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children, all martyrs, not because they publicly proclaimed the Catholic faith, but because as true Christians they lived through the Gospel Putting everyday attitudes into practice.
“An entire family was exterminated by the Nazis on March 24, 1944 because they had offered refuge to some persecuted Jews.” They countered the hatred and violence that characterized this time with evangelical love. May this Polish family, which was a ray of light in the darkness of World War II, be an example for all of us to emulate in the drive for good and in the service of those most in need.”
Francis then invited the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to follow the example of this great Polish family, faithful to God but murdered out of hatred for the faith. With a view to current conflicts, the Pope again reminded of Ukraine:
“And by following their example, we feel called to counteract the violence of weapons with that of charity, the rhetoric of violence and the persistence of prayer. Let’s do this especially for so many countries suffering from war; in a special way.” In this way, let us intensify our prayer for Martyr Ukraine. There are the flags of Ukraine, which is suffering so, so much!”
New Year: Reconciliation and Peace for the Ethiopian People
The Pope also recalled that Ethiopia is about to celebrate the New Year as its calendar is different from the Western one, saying:
“The day after tomorrow, September 12th, the dear Ethiopian people celebrate their traditional New Year: I would like to express my warmest wishes to the entire population and hope that they will be blessed with the gifts of brotherly reconciliation and peace.”