“Help us to recognize from afar the needs of those who struggle in the waves of the sea, thrown on the rocks of an unknown shore”: this is how the Pope prayed for migrants in the Grotto of Saint Paul in Rabat . “Let our compassion not be exhausted in vain words, but turn on the bonfire of welcome, which makes us forget the bad weather, warms hearts and unites them”, are the words of the Pope after yet another shipwreck in the Mediterranean, in international waters, during which, as reported yesterday by Doctors Without Borders, more than ninety people who had left Libya would have lost their lives.
Pope Francis therefore drew a parallel between Saint Paul, who according to the apostles’ acts was received with “rare humanity” in Malta after a shipwreck,who today arrive on the Mediterranean island to enter Europe. “God of mercy”, the prayer pronounced by Francis after lighting a candle, “in your wonderful providence you wanted the Apostle Paul to announce your love to the inhabitants of Malta, who did not yet know you. He proclaimed to them the Your word and healed their infirm. Saved from the shipwreck, Saint Paul and his traveling companions found here to welcome them pagan people of good heart, who treated them with rare humanity, realizing that they needed refuge, safety and assistance. No one knew their names, origin or social status; they only knew one thing: that they needed help. There was no time for discussions, judgments, analyzes and calculations: it was time to help; they left their occupations and so they did. They lit a great fire, and made them dry and heat. They welcomed them with an open heart and, together with Publius, first in government and in mercy, they found accommodation for them. Good Father – continues the prayer – grant us the grace of a good heart that fights for the love of the brothers. Help us to recognize from afar the needs of those who struggle in the waves of the sea, thrown on the rocks of an unknown shore. Let the Good Father – continues the prayer – grant us the grace of a good heart that fights for the love of the brothers. Help us to recognize from afar the needs of those who struggle in the waves of the sea, thrown on the rocks of an unknown shore. Let the Good Father – continues the prayer – grant us the grace of a good heart that fights for the love of the brothers. Help us to recognize from afar the needs of those who struggle in the waves of the sea, thrown on the rocks of an unknown shore. Let theour compassion is not exhausted in vain words, but ignites the bonfire of welcome , which makes us forget the bad weather, warms hearts and unites them: hearth of the house built on the rock, of the only family of your children, sisters and brothers all . You love them without distinction and want them to become one with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, by the power of the fire sent from heaven, your Holy Spirit, who burns all enmity, and in the night illuminates the path to the your kingdom of love and peace. Amen “.
” In this sacred place, which remembers Saint Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles and father in the faith of this people, I thank the Lord and I pray that He will always grant the Maltese the Spirit of consolation and the ardor of the announcement “.second and last day of the Pope’s trip to MaltaFrancis had a private meeting this morning with the members of the Society of Jesus, then drove to the Grotta di San Paolo and signed the Book of Honor. “In this sacred place, which remembers Saint Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles and father in the faith of this people, I thank the Lord and I pray that He will always grant the Maltese the Spirit of consolation and the ardor of the proclamation” wrote Pope Francis in the book.
This was followed by a visit to the interior of the Basilica of San Paolo where he met some sick people and various people assisted by Caritas. The Pope then stopped for a moment of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament and recited the Prayer of Mercy, with the final blessing. Immediately after the transfer to the Piazzale dei Granai in Floriana for the mass with 20 thousand faithful.
In the course of the homily, the Pope warned against anyone who speaks of God but then denies him in fact . “The worm of hypocrisy and the habit of pointing the finger can creep into our religiosity”, Bergoglio underlined. “There is always the danger of misunderstanding Jesus, of having his name on his lips but of denying him in fact. And it can also be done by raising banners with the cross” he said. Some “set themselves up as champions of God but do not realize they are trampling on their brothers. In reality, those who believe they are defending the faith by pointing the finger at others will also have a religious vision, but do not espouse the spirit of the Gospel”.
“The Lord desires that we disciples of him, we as the Church, forgiven by him, become tireless witnesses of reconciliation: of a God for whom the word ‘irrecoverable’ does not exist; of a God who always forgives “, the Pope also recalled. If we imitate” we will not be led to concentrate on denouncing sins, but to set out with love in search of sinners. We will not count those present, but we will go in search of those absent. We will not go back to pointing fingers, but we will start listening. We will not discard the despised, but we will look first to those who are considered last, “he said.
“Tonight, after having met several migrant brothers and sisters, it will already be time to return to Rome, but I will bring with me many moments and words of these days. Above all, I will keep many faces in my heart, and the luminous face of Malta!”. Thus Pope Francis at the end of the mass celebrated in the piazzale dei Granai in Floriana. The Pontiff wished to express his gratitude to the Maltese president and to the authorities, to the bishops, priests, men and women religious, and to all citizens and faithful of Malta and Gozo for the welcome and affection received. “Grazzi! (Thanks!)”, He then concluded.
“May the word you have given us today be a reason for encouragement in life, light on the journey, consolation in difficulties”. Thus the archbishop of Malta, Msgr. Charles J. Scicluna, addressed the pope at the end of the mass that Francis celebrated in Floriana. “Holy Father, may today’s Visit and his Blessing awaken in our hearts that flame of charity and that ‘rare humanity’ which are the fruit of the Spirit of the Lord”.
